President Joe Biden has taken the United States back into the Paris Agreement on Wednesday 20 January, the day of his inauguration. Friends of Earth International, U.S., and Europe released the following statements in response: Karen Orenstein, Climate and Energy Program Director for Friends of the Earth U.S., said: “Rejoining the Paris Agreement was the…
Environment
Adapting to Climate Change
Building climate-resilient societies in line with the forthcoming EU adaptation strategy is vital, says Parliament in a resolution voted last week. The resolution on adaptation to climate change will provide input on a new adaptation strategy, expected from the Commission in 2021 as part of the European Green Deal, and was approved with 550 votes…
Study says hydrogen can be a “vital” tool in the decarbonisation of energy systems
There has never been a greater focus on the development of a clean hydrogen market. However, the focus of policy to date has been directed towards increasing production using electricity generated by renewables, ignoring the potential role of other low-carbon power sources, notably nuclear power. A new report by the New Nuclear Watch Institute analyses…
Mineral Wool and Construction Workers’ Health
Climate Change Performance Index 2021: Morocco Regional Role Model in Africa
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2021 was published on 7th December. Since 2005, the CCPI has provided analysis of countries’ climate protection performance. Produced by German Watch, Climate Action Network International and the New Climate Institute, it creates transparency in climate policy, makes it possible to compare climate protection efforts, and lets you see…
Deep Emission Cuts Needed
The UN Environment Emissions Gap Report 2020 published yesterday (Wednesday 9th December) shows that all countries must urgently increase their 2030 climate targets and sharply accelerate emission cuts, as with current policies we are heading towards catastrophic climate change. The report finds that, despite a brief decline in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,…
Commissioner Gabriel signs EU Administrative Arrangement on Marine Research and Innovation with the Kingdom of Morocco
From left to right: Siham Cherraj, Communication Advisor, Driss Ouaouicha, Minister Delegate in charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner and A. Rahhou, Ambassador of Morocco to the EU. The European Union (EU) and Morocco signed yesterday (Tuesday 8th December) an administrative arrangement on cooperation in marine research and innovation, as…
EU Emissions Targets Too Low
Ahead of the European Council summit on 10-11 December, mayors warn that the EU 2030 emissions reduction target should be revised upwards to at least 60% by 2030. “Five years after the Paris agreement, the pandemic has shown sustainability to be a crucial issue on which we cannot fail,” says Dario Nardella, President of Eurocities and Mayor…
Climate Targets
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has presented its trend report on climate and energy targets in Europe. Jutta Paulus, Green member of the Environment Committee and deputy member of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, said one positive aspect is that already in 2019, emissions were lowered by four percent compared to the previous year….
EU Hydrogen Strategy
At the webinar organised by the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN), EESC members point out that the contribution of civil society will be fundamental for the future of the EU’s hydrogen strategy. Developing a renewable hydrogen ecosystem is a key priority for achieving the European Green Deal, but the social…