"EU Climate Action" Newsletter Issues

Invitation (25/11/2020)

Further action required to meet 2020 fuel quality targets despite 3.7% drop in greenhouse gas intensity since 2010 (19/11/2020)

The Commission today adopted its 2018 Fuel Quality Report based on the data submitted by EU countries. According to the data provided, the average greenhouse gas intensity of fuels in the 28 reporting Member States had fallen by 3.7% compared to the 2010 baseline. The year-on-year progress achieved compared to 2017 was limited to a 0.3% decrease. Progress varied greatly across Member States, but almost all need to take swift action to meet the 2020 target of 6%.

Boosting Offshore Renewable Energy for a Climate Neutral Europe (19/11/2020)

To help meet the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050, the European Commission today presents the EU Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy. The Strategy proposes to increase Europe's offshore wind capacity from its current level of 12 GW to at least 60 GW by 2030 and to 300 GW by 2050. The Commission aims to complement this with 40 GW of ocean energy and other emerging technologies such as floating wind and solar by 2050.

Carbon Market Report: Emissions from EU ETS stationary installations fall by over 9% (19/11/2020)

The European Commission has adopted its annual report on the functioning of the European carbon market. The report covers 2019 and certain developments in 2020.

Start of phase 4 of the EU ETS in 2021: adoption of the cap and start of the auctions (19/11/2020)

The Commission is finalising the preparations for the period 2021-2030 of the EU ETS (phase 4), starting on 1 January 2021.

Commission launches four public consultations in an important step towards climate neutrality (16/11/2020)

The European Commission has launched four open public consultations on forthcoming revisions to the laws designed to limit the EU’s emissions of greenhouse gases.

LIFE programme: over €280 million in EU funding for environment, nature and climate action projects (16/11/2020)

The European Commission has approved an investment package of more than €280 million from the EU budget for over 120 new LIFE programme projects. This EU funding will trigger total investments of nearly €590 million to help meet these projects' ambitious goals for environment, nature, and climate action. This amount represents a 37% rise compared to last year.

First Innovation Fund call for large-scale projects: 311 applications for the EUR 1 billion EU funding for clean tech projects (16/11/2020)

In response to the first call for large-scale projects of the Innovation Fund, the European Commission received 311 applications for innovative clean tech projects in renewable energy, energy-intensive industries, energy storage, and carbon capture, use and storage.

Small is beautiful: How can the Innovation Fund foster innovative clean tech small-scale projects? (19/11/2020)

Ahead of the upcoming call for small-scale projects of the Innovation Fund, we are organising a virtual conference to discuss how to bring small innovative clean tech projects to the market.

European Hydrogen Week (23/11/2020)

The first edition of the European Hydrogen Week will be dedicated to the essential role of hydrogen in reaching EU’s commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Climate neutral food and wood: Showcasing best climate practices in agriculture, forestry, food systems and the bioeconomy (06/10/2020)

The European Commission hosted in October a series of webinars to showcase successful LIFE and Horizon 2020 projects in the areas of agriculture, food systems, forestry, and the bioeconomy. The presentations of these webinars are available for download.

Roadmap: Forests - new EU strategy (30/10/2020)

Fluorinated greenhouse gases – review of EU rules (2015-20) (16/09/2020)

EU emissions trading system - updated rules for aviation (01/10/2020)

Updating the EU emissions trading system (ETS) (13/11/2020)

National emissions reduction targets (Effort Sharing Regulation) – review based on 2030 climate target plan (13/11/2020)

Land use, land use change & forestry – review of EU rules (13/11/2020)

CO2 emissions for cars and vans – revision of performance standards (13/11/2020)

Short educational videos about energy for young Europeans (16/11/2020)

A Renovation Wave for Europe - greening our buildings, creating jobs, improving lives (13/10/2020)

The European Commission has published today its Renovation Wave Strategy to improve the energy performance of buildings. The Commission aims to at least double renovation rates in the next ten years and make sure renovations lead to higher energy and resource efficiency.
This will enhance the quality of life for people living in and using the buildings, reduce Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, foster digitalisation and improve the reuse and recycling of materials. By 2030, 35 million buildings could be renovated and up to 160,000 additional green jobs created in the construction sector.
Press release | Q&A | Factsheet

EU strategy to reduce methane emissions (13/10/2020)

The European Commission presented today an EU strategy to reduce methane emissions. Methane is the second biggest contributor to climate change, after carbon dioxide. It is also a potent local air pollutant causing serious health problems. Tackling methane emissions is therefore essential to reaching our 2030 climate targets and the 2050 climate neutrality goal, as well as contributing to the Commission’s zero-pollution ambition.
Press release | Q&A | Factsheet

The State of the Energy Union Report (13/10/2020)

The Commission adopted today the 2020 State of the Energy Union Report and its accompanying documents focused on different aspects of EU energy policy. This year’s Report is the first one since the adoption of the European Green Deal, and looks at the Energy Union’s contribution to Europe’s long-term climate goals.
Press release | Q&A

Proposal for a new Environment Action Programme to 2030 (14/10/2020)

The Commission has today put forward a proposal for a new Environment Action Programme to 2030. The programme urges the EU to move towards a regenerative economy that gives back to the planet more than it takes, recognising that human wellbeing and prosperity depend on healthy ecosystems within which they operate.

More climate-friendly alternatives to harmful greenhouse gases used in air-conditioning and switchgear (13/10/2020)

The Commission has published two reports on more climate-friendly alternatives to the damaging F-gases used in split air-conditioning systems and in electrical switchgear.

Vote now for the LIFE Awards 2020 Citizens’ Prize (13/10/2020)

The LIFE Awards 2020 Citizens’ Prize voting is open. Discover this year's finalists and support your favourite LIFE project. The winner will be announced on 21 October during the online LIFE Awards Ceremony at the EU Green Week.

New LIFE climate action projects: applicants seek nearly €500 million in EU funding (13/10/2020)

In response to the EU LIFE programme’s 2020 call for climate action projects, the European Commission has received 258 new proposals. This represents a 55% rise on last year’s figures. It also shows a growing commitment to tackle and adapt to climate change.

Frans Timmermans on the European Climate Law (15/09/2020)

Opening remarks by Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans at the European Parliament Plenary Session on the European Climate Law on 6 October 2020.

EU Green Week 2020 (19/10/2020)

18th European week of regions and cities: Green Europe (19/10/2020)

This year, the European Week of Regions and Cities is spreading over three consecutive weeks, each dedicated to one timely topic: Empowering Citizens (5-9 Oct), Cohesion & Cooperation (12-16 Oct.) and Green Europe (19-22 Oct).

LIFE awards ceremony (21/10/2020)

The LIFE Awards recognise the most innovative, inspirational and effective projects that have been co-funded through the EU’s LIFE programme for the environment and climate action. Fifteen projects are nominated in 3 categories: nature protection, environment, and climate action. During a dedicated ceremony, the high-level jury will announce the 3 winners in these categories.

Classroom in action: Addressing Climate Change (23/10/2020)

eTwinning promotes school collaboration in Europe. This year, the plenary sessions of the annual conference will be live streamed. Opening speech and introduction to the EU Climate Pact by Clara De La Torre, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Climate Action.

Carbon Farming Initiatives in Europe – 2nd Roundtable (23/09/2020)

On 23 and 24 September 2020, the European Commission organised the 2nd Carbon Farming Roundtable to present the results of the study “Analytical support for the operationalisation of an EU Carbon Farming Initiative”. Watch the recording of the event.

1st Financing Innovative Clean Tech Conference (25/09/2020)

On 25 September 2020, financiers and industry representatives gathered virtually to discuss how public and private investors can join forces to deliver the European Green Deal and repair economic damage from the COVID-19 crisis. Watch the recording of the event.

EU Green Deal (carbon border adjustment mechanism) (17/09/2020)

Ozone layer protection – review of EU rules (16/09/2020)

Fluorinated greenhouse gases – review of EU rules (2015-20) (16/09/2020)

EU emissions trading system - updated rules for aviation (01/10/2020)

100 Climate-neutral Cities by 2030 – by and for the Citizens (13/10/2020)

A climate resilient Europe (13/10/2020)

Welcome (15/09/2020)

Commission raises climate ambition and proposes 55% cut in emissions by 2030 (15/09/2020)

The European Commission today presented its plan to reduce net EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

Frans Timmermans on the European Green Deal as a growth strategy (15/09/2020)

Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans' speech on the European Green Deal as a growth strategy at the Bruegel Annual Meeting on 1 September.

Financing the energy transition: Commission puts €14 billion fund to modernise energy sectors in 10 Member States into action (15/09/2020)

The Commission adopted in July the rules on the operation of the Modernisation Fund, an EU solidarity funding mechanism to support 10 EU Member States in their transition to climate neutrality by helping to modernise their energy systems and improve energy efficiency.

EU, Canada and China co-host international meeting on climate cooperation and a sustainable economic recovery (15/09/2020)

On 7 July, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, the Canadian Minister for Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson and China’s Minister for Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu co-chaired the 4th session of the Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA).

Boosting the EU’s green recovery: Commission invests € 1 billion in innovative clean technology projects (15/09/2020)

The Commission launched on 3 July the first call for proposals under the Innovation Fund, one of the world’s largest programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies, financed by revenues from the auction of emission allowances from the EU’s Emissions Trading System.

Carbon Farming Initiatives in Europe – 2nd Roundtable (23/09/2020)

During this 2nd Roundtable, the results of the study “Analytical support for the operationalisation of an EU Carbon Farming Initiative” will be presented, which explored key issues, challenges, trade-offs and design options to develop result-based carbon farming mechanisms, based on the analysis of existing evidence on carbon farming initiatives across the EU.

1st Financing Innovative Clean Tech Conference (25/09/2020)

This virtual conference will be the first of a series of Financing Innovative Clean Tech conferences designed to raise awareness among the community of public and private financiers about the many business opportunities brought about by the Innovation Fund and to promote a dialogue with industry.

Climate neutral food and wood: Showcasing best climate practices in agriculture, forestry, food systems and the bioeconomy (06/10/2020)

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) and the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) are organising a series of webinars to showcase successful LIFE and Horizon 2020 projects in the areas of agriculture, food systems, forestry, and the bioeconomy. These online events will feature project representatives, experts from the EU Institutions and agencies as well as other key stakeholders. They will discuss best practices, lessons learned, and future policy initiatives.

LIFE Programme (15/09/2020)

If you are taking action against climate change or working on an energy efficiency solution, don't miss your chance to apply for the LIFE programme. The deadline for submitting your full project proposal is 6 October 2020.

Innovation Fund call for large-scale projects (15/09/2020)

The first Innovation Fund call for large-scale projects will provide grant funding of €1 billion to large-scale projects for clean technologies to help them overcome the risks linked to commercialisation and large-scale demonstration.

Ozone layer protection – review of EU rules (16/09/2020)

Fluorinated greenhouse gases – review of EU rules (2015-20) (16/09/2020)

EU Green Deal (carbon border adjustment mechanism) (17/09/2020)

Welcome (20/05/2020)

Open public consultation on the European Climate Pact (20/05/2020)

The European Green Deal sets out how to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Alongside government policies and regulation, there is a role to play for citizens, communities and organisations in all sectors of our society and economy.

Open public consultation on the EU’s 2030 climate ambition increase (20/05/2020)

As part of the European Green Deal, the Commission will put forward a comprehensive plan to increase the EU’s 2030 climate target in September this year. The plan will propose to increase the EU’s current 2030 target of at least -40% greenhouse gas emission reductions to at least -50% and towards -55%, compared to 1990 emission levels.

Open public consultation on the EU’s strategy on adaptation to climate change (20/05/2020)

Climate change impacts are here and now. Global and European temperatures have repeatedly broken long-term records in recent years, and the impacts on people, planet and prosperity are already pervasive. The recovery from the current crisis will be an opportunity to make our society more resilient.