EU cuts Just Transition Fund to EUR 10 billion in COVID-19 recovery deal
The European Council reached an agreement on the seven-year budget through 2027 including a mechanism for the recovery from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic worth EUR 750 billion. The EU heads of state and government gave the green light for EUR 10 billion for the Just Transition Fund from the COVID-19 war chest, slashing […]
Cyclists ask European Parliament to add bicycle infrastructure, incentives
EU lawmakers and cycling organizations pressed European Parliament President David Sassoli and Secretary-General Klaus Welle to make more room for pedestrians and cyclists and encourage MEPs and employees to avoid using cars for commuting. European capitals and countries are continuing to support bicycle traffic and infrastructure, one of the activities that may also limit the […]
Carbon prices jump in EU, taking industrial pollution costs to 14-year high
Expenses for greenhouse gas emissions at factories and energy producers briefly surged to a level unseen since 2016. As the EU tightens environmental regulations and polluters are suffering from rising carbon costs, green technologies are becoming more profitable. Uncertainty and the lockdown measures throughout the world to curb the spread of the coronavirus devastated the […]
Serbia delays public discussion on plan for Kolubara B thermal power plant
The coronavirus has prompted the Government of Serbia to shelve the public discussion on the draft spatial plan and environmental impact assessment for the Kolubara B thermal power plant. PowerChina is the contractor on behalf of EPS. The Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of Serbia said it is unable to hold the public discussion […]
ERS risks failure of Bistrica hydropower plants project on lack of funding
ERS claims it would extend deadlines for the three hydropower plants on the Bistrica, citing force majeure due to the COVID-19 pandemic issues. Contractor AVIC-ENG from China is said to have the option to terminate the contract if funding isn’t found in less than two months and to keep the advance payment. Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, […]
Will the EU’s hydrogen strategy undermine the 2050 climate neutrality goal?
The European Commission has unveiled a strategy to scale up hydrogen production as part of efforts to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, but environmental organizations have warned the hydrogen strategy could be a “double-edged sword” that will extend the use of fossil fuels in the European Union (EU) and undermine its 2050 climate neutrality target. The hydrogen […]
EU launches first call for proposals under Innovation Fund for clean technologies
The European Commission has launched the first call for proposals under the EUR 10 billion Innovation Fund, which will finance breakthrough technologies for renewable energy, energy-intensive industries, energy storage, and carbon capture, use and storage. The fund is expected to help boost the EU economy’s green recovery following the COVID-19 crisis. The first call will […]
Plastic Free July – there are alternatives to single use packaging
The world is marking Plastic Bag Free Day on July 3 alongside Plastic Free July awareness campaign which teaches us that in parallel with global efforts, each individual should learn to make small changes and choose to refuse single plastics we use every day. At the same time, it teaches us that despite current challenges […]