A group of leading NGOs active in the Balkan region [1] are calling for urgent reform of the Energy Community Treaty, as its Ministerial Council prepares to meet in Kiev on September 23rd [2]. The groups are calling for both the expansion of the environmental and climate component of the Treaty and measures to ensure that existing obligations are better enforced.
Debate held as major new report on the climate economy is launched and one week before the UN New York Climate Summit begins
Today Members of the European Parliament engaged in a debate on the urgency of climate change calling for increased European action. The debate was held just ahead of next week's UN Climate Summit in New York [1]. Thirty-two parliamentarians from all the major political groups spoke, stressing the need for the EU to increase its climate action, and to take additional measures to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short-term. European Council and Commission statements were given by Benedetto Della Vedova, Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and Connie Hedegaard, the current EU Commissioner for Climate Action.
Read more: European Parliament calls for urgent climate action
CO2 emissions from coal power plants in the EU are undermining climate efforts, reveals the Europe’s Dirty 30 report, released today by CAN Europe, WWF, the European Environmental Bureau, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Climate Alliance Germany.
Read more: Climate efforts undermined by EU’s coal addiction, new report reveals
Will the European Commission slow progress on EU energy savings?
Today the European Commission is expected to publish a proposal for a 2030 energy savings target, completing the initial climate and energy proposal released in January of 2014[1]. The proposal comes after much speculation that a target as low as 27% will be proposed, an effective slowing down of action up to 2030 [2]. CAN Europe will be extremely disconcerted if the Commission presents a target below 40%, let alone below the inadequate 30% level that some are predicting.
Read more: European Commission to announce energy savings proposal
On June 26-27, European Political leaders are meeting in Belgium to agree on a concrete Action Plan to tackle Energy Security, an issue of increased concern since the crisis in Ukraine emerged last March.