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. […]
Southeastern Europe may get EUR 10 billion as EU boosts Just Transition Fund plan
The European Commission has proposed to increase the funds intended for the energy transition of coal regions from EUR 7.5 billion to EUR 40 billion. The initial proposal for the economic recovery of the 27-country bloc has been amended to add massive stimulus. The move is part of the newest effort of the Commission, called […]
Region gets EU support to wrap up just transition plans
The European Commission has approved all requests made by 18 member states including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, and Romania, for support in the preparation of their territorial just transition plans, which each country will have to draw up to get access to funding from the Just Transition Mechanism. The Just Transition Mechanism is part of […]
EU to focus on Green Deal diplomacy; preparing Green Agenda for Western Balkans
Participants at the 5th Energy and Climate Committee meeting, organized by the Energy Community Secretariat, have stressed the connection between national energy and climate plans (NECPs) and the European Green Deal, focusing in particular on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. The meeting was held digitally as part of the response to the COVID-19 […]
Environmental organizations ask EU to stop waste burning in coal power plants in Bulgaria
Environmental lawyers at ClientEarth, Greenpeace Bulgaria and Za Zemiata are bringing a legal complaint to the European Commission to compel EU authorities to investigate and order the alleged illegal waste incineration in Bulgaria to stop. Three organizations have taken action after the Bulgarian government secretly allowed three aging coal power plants to burn unclassified waste, […]
EU conditions EUR 251 million state aid to coal, power utility CE Oltenia
The European Commission has approved Romania’s plans to grant a EUR 251 million loan to second-biggest power producer Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia) but with strict conditions. The Romanian government has defined a plan to help Complexul Energetic Oltenia (CE Oltenia), coal-based utility trapped in a financial squeeze for years. A public loan warrants approval […]