EU expects Montenegro to investigate Možura wind farm allegations
The European Commission expects a “credible, independent, and efficient” investigation into allegations of corruption surrounding the construction of the Možura wind farm, according to the commission’s spokesperson, Ana Pisonero. The corruption allegations had also been the subject of an investigation conducted by the murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Assistant director of the Montenegrin Police […]
EU mulls higher 2030 targets to ensure achieving climate neutrality by 2050
The European Commission has launched a process to assess setting more ambitious 2030 targets on renewable energy and stepping up energy efficiency action, with the aim of ensuring the EU delivers on its pledge to become climate neutral by 2050. The process is beginning with a review of the Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EU) and the […]
EU to introduce plastic waste tax
The European Union is introducing a tax on non-recycled plastic packaging from 1 January 2021. The tax will be paid by member states into the EU’s general budget. The levy is one of the measures to finance the COVID-19 recovery package of EUR 750 billion. “As a first step, a new own resource will be […]
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 Just Transition Platform for coal regions
The European Commission has launched the Just Transition Platform to help member states draw up their territorial just transition plans and access funding from the Just Transition Mechanism, worth more than EUR 150 billion. According to the European Union’s executive body, the online tool will provide technical and advisory support for public and private stakeholders […]
Most EU states not on track to reduce air pollution by 2030 – Commission’s report
Most member states are at risk of not complying with their 2020 or 2030 emission reduction commitments, according to the European Commission’s first report on the implementation of the National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive (NEC Directive). Alongside the implementation report, the European Union’s executive arm has also released its consultants’ analysis of each member state’s […]
Croatia reduces green power surcharge for energy-intensive companies
Energy-intensive companies in Croatia could save up to EUR 10 million a year through the government’s scheme to reduce the surcharge they pay for incentivizing renewable energy production. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Croatian scheme that grants reductions to energy-intensive companies on a surcharge to finance support for renewable […]
Western Balkan countries on the way to finalizing their National Energy and Climate Plans
Western Balkan countries, partners of the GIZ Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy Efficiency (ORF-EE), have made substantial progress in the preparation of their draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), demonstrating a commitment to following the pace of the EU member states who are in the process of finishing their final versions. […]
