For competitive, sustainable and secure energy
Major investment in innovative low-carbon technologies
International aviation emission reductions from 2020
The Joint Research Centre published a map of potential threats to soil biodiversity.
MEPs believe biodiversity conservation should be mainstreamed.
New tool to foster knowledge of the role of CCS in cutting CO2 emissions
“Travel Smarter, Live Better”: promoting eco-friendly ways of travelling in European cities
MEPs allocate unspent money for local energy & transport investments.
The cycle of climate negotiations concluded in Bonn paved the way for next Cancún conference.
The 2009 policy review outlines progress on the priorities of the 6th Environment Action Programme and highlights the adoption of the climate and energy package.
Member States back the Commission's proposal for a Regulation on the auctioning of emissions allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
Representatives of the European Union and of developing countries in Asia deepened dialogue and cooperation to mobilise international support for stronger action on climate change.
Six finalists vie for title of European Green Capital 2012 and 2013.
EU institutions join the initiative and will turn off lights in all its buildings at 08:30PM on March 27.
Environment Ministers set new target for halting loss of biodiversity in the EU by 2020.
European industry needs to become more innovative and eco-efficient.
Commission creates two new Directorates-General for Energy and Climate Action.
The Spanish Presidency present their priority actions for climate change to the European Parliament.
The Spanish presidency supports the immediate application of the Copenhagen Agreement.
The agreement includes the two degree target and money for climate financing.
Swedish Minister for the Environment calls for breakthrough in Copenhagen.
Follow Artur Runge-Metzeger, the Chief Negotiator for the European Commission.
Negotiations on the further additions to the Kyoto Protocol had to be adjourned.
Europeans believe fighting climate change can boost economic growth in the EU.
The key objectives for a post-2012 global climate agreement.
Test your knowledge on climate change and learn more about ways to fight it!
The EU and Russia focused their talks on climate change and energy ahead of the Copenhagen summit.
Renewable energy and energy-saving standards laid down for buildings constructed after 2020.
A climate change blogging competition won the prize for the best Web 2.0 campaign at the European Public Affairs 2009 awards.
The meeting between the EU and the US focused on how to build momentum for an agreement at Copenhagen.
EU leaders reached an agreement on “climate financing” ahead of Copenhagen international climate conference.
The EU is prepared to show political leadership to save the climate and reach an agreement in Copenhagen.
EU finance and environment ministers discuss financial aspects before the Copenhagen climate agreement.
The EU welcomed the progress made in Bangkok but said that negotiations must speed up before Copenhagen.
Discussions on how to tackle climate change globally yielded no substantial results.
European Union hails universal ratification of the Montreal Protocol.
EU and South African leaders are determined to reach an agreement in Copenhagen in December 2009.
The Swedish presidency demands a halt to deforestation and an increase in reforestation and sustainable forestry in order to preserve biodiversity.
Informal meeting of environment ministers focused on the Copenhagen climate change.
A Forum to debate the impact of Climate Change on Employment.
EU leaders agreed that all countries except the poorest should help finance the fight against global warming in developing countries.
Current research efforts are focusing on new technology with the potential to halve European lighting costs.
United Nations day to raise worldwide awareness of the environment with climate change as main subject.
European cities to sign the Brussels Charter to promote the use of bicycles.
Europe must rapidly grasp the true value of biodiversity in order to meet its targets.
MEPs call on member countries to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil.
Environment Council discussed the way forward to reach an international agreement on climate change.
New rules backed by MEPs call for a tyre-labelling system to allow drivers to see how fuel efficient tyres are.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) is launching a revamped version of its EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) data viewer.
A new law approved by MEPs shows that the EU is leading by example.
EU leaders prepared the Copenhagen Conference on climate change and discussed plans to enhance the Union's energy security.
Although water is essential for human life, it is becoming scarce due to climate change, population growth and pollution.
A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) confirms that in many parts of Europe water use is unsustainable and provides recommendations for a new approach to managing water resources.
EU institutions will turn off the lights, thus participating in this global action to fight climate change!
We want your snapshots on "pollution and how to solve it".Financial crisis, energy and climate change will be the big issues under discussion at the next European Council.
MEPs adopted a resolution on the EU strategy for a comprehensive climate change agreement in Copenhagen.
The European Parliament adopted a report introducing new rules on the registration, sale and use of cars, aiming to improve road safety and environmental protection.
MEPs back provisions for introducing EU-wide emission limits, greater flexibility in granting permits and better public information policies.
The European Economic Recovery Plan proposes green measures to tackle the economic crisis.
The European Parliament leads by example in combating climate change.
Representatives of EU environment ministers met in Prague to discuss climate protection commitments and prepare the spring European Council.
The Council adopted conclusions on how to ensure EU energy supplies.
400 cities committed to reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption beyond the 20% EU target.
A network of European weather presenters is raising awareness of climate change.The European Parliament adopted a report setting out recommendations for the future EU policy on climate change
MEPs call for mandatory emergency action plans in case of gas supply shortages, a specific road map for investments in nuclear energy, and new climate targets to be achieved by 2050.
MEPS go through the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute in their own countries.
Is boosting the economy compatible with saving the planet? Tell us what you think!
Read the 2009 snapshots stories focusing on climate change, biodiversity and health.
The EU has set itself the most ambitious targets in the world to fight global warming.
Informal negotiations between Parliamentary delegations and the French Presidency of the Council continued after the European Council.
First draft of the proposed climate change agreement should be available by June 2009.
EU ministers approved the so-called “20-20-20” deal, which attempts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and to boost energy savings and renewable energy. The next step is the approval by the European Parliament.
MEPs and the Council's Presidency reached an informal compromise on a proposed directive which establishes targets to ensure that the EU will reach its climate target of at least 20% renewable energy in the total energy consumption by 2020.
“European homes will keep the same quality of lighting, while saving energy, CO2 and money", said Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.
Ministers proposed measures related to the security of the energy supply and improved energy efficiency.
Be active and participate on the open debate on how to recycle bio-waste and use it for energy recovery.
EU will co-finance Member States to install double-glazing, wall insulation and solar panels in housing.
MEPs take the EU objective to keep the global average temperature increase below 2°C as a basis and call for a 25-40% reduction target in greenhouse gas emissions to be achieved by 2020.
The informal compromise concerns a draft regulation which sets emission performance standards for new passenger cars registered in the EU.
Poznań conference must shift negotiations on a new global climate deal into higher gear.
Ways to secure Europe's future energy supply, the promotion of energy innovation and the EU's role in international climate negotiations were among the issues discussed at the interparliamentary meeting held in Strasbourg.
80 % of the greenhouse gas emissions in Europe still come from the energy sector, warns a report from the European Environment Agency.
EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering called for "concrete results" in the negotiations on the EU's climate change package before the international climate conference in Poznan in December.
Bioenergy can reduce Europe's greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to achieving the EU's renewable energy target, says a report by the European Environment Agency.
Car-sharing schemes allow people the use of a vehicle when they need it, without the hassles and costs of ownership.
The European Parliament has decided to put forward a plan to reduce the institution's carbon "footprint" by 30%.
According to MEPs, Europe must build an alliance with developing countries to avoid a global climate catastrophe.
Discussions focused on how to tackle major global challenges, including combating climate change.
The EU is on its way to meet Kyoto’s Protocol commitments for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
On 14th October, the European Union and European Industry announce plans to make fuel cells and hydrogen one of Europe's leading new strategic energy technologies of the future.
MEPs urge the Commission and Member States to acknowledge that deforestation and unrestrained urban development are contributing to growing water scarcity.
MEPs worried at the effects of climate change on the sustainability of the lives of the indigenous peoples, in terms of both the environment and natural habit.
The EU-supported project SMILES targets the development and launch of 16 new sustainable technologies to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and secure water and energy savings.
A report states that Europe needs to intensify actions to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Conferences, exhibitions and a car-free day all helped to make the European Mobility Week the world’s largest event on sustainable mobility.
The objective of Kopernikus is to monitor the state of the environment to improve the security of citizens.
The Industry Committee of the European Parliament championed "second-generation" biofuels.
Cities throughout Europe prepare their applications to compete for the title.
Clear information and citizen involvement are crucial if we are to bring about improvements in Europe's environment, particularly in the field of water, says Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA.
This event, attended by more than 4000 participants, covers all aspects of photovoltaic solar energy, ranging from basic research, manufacturing technology, to policies, finance and employment.
Have you ever stopped to think about the volume of water it takes to produce the food you eat, the clothes you wear, or the car your family drives?
Parliament support for the proposal to simplify the approval of hydrogen powered vehicles marks a step forward in the development and marketing of clean and safe hydrogen vehicles. As a result, they will be seen more often on Europe's streets.
Taking the lead in improving products’ energy efficiency will boost Europe’s economy, saving every consumer money in the long term and allowing everybody to contribute to reducing environmental damage.
The Review endorses the broad outline of the Commission's ambitious energy proposals tabled last year. It specifically praises the coherent EU approach to energy and climate change and the Commission's market liberalization package for electricity and gas.
The EU-funded B-COOL project, set to end in 2008, has been developing a new, high-efficiency, low-cost air-conditioning system for small, A and B segment cars, using CO2 as a refrigerant.
From the beginning of September 2008, the first commercial fuel cell-powered passenger ship will operate a regular service on the river Alster in Hamburg, Germany without giving rise to any harmful emissions.
SMEs and many other European organisations can apply for EU funding through the 2008 call for proposals of the new LIFE+ programme. The deadline is set for 21 November 2008.
The EU funded project ADDRESS aims to develop smarter energy grids and give consumers the ability to actively participate in energy delivery.
La construcción con criterios de eficiencia energética puede reducir nuestra huella de carbono.
The European Commission launched a public consultation on the climate change agreement that will replace the Kyoto protocol beyond 2012.
Last year EU leaders agreed to cut CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020 in a bid to tackle climate change. The EU's Emissions Trading Scheme is at the heart of this effort.
EU policy-makers are being urged to adopt a more cautious approach on renewable energy targets for biofuels, in a new UK report which warns that that biofuels could be harmful to the environment and bad news for the economy.
How clean is the air in your city? Is the local transport environmentally friendly? What about noise pollution and the state of the green areas? Four out of five Europeans now live in cities and the environment in urban areas is directly linked to our quality of life.
Investment, free-trade, abolition of subsidies, a change of direction on biofuels: all options submitted to a joint European Parliament-French government conference on 3 July.
What will be the future shape of the European Emission Trading System (ETS), a cornerstone of the EU’s efforts to curb greenhouse gases?
There are a staggering 220 million cars on Europe's roads and that number is growing all the time. The CO2 they emit is 12% of the yearly total for the whole European Union...
The eighth edition of Green Week, the EU's biggest annual environmental event, was held in Brussels from 3-6 June.