The European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has signed an agreement with five southern European countries to build a pipeline which will transport oil directly from the Black Sea to central European markets. The Pan-European Oil Pipeline is aimed at linking the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania to the oil hub of Trieste, Italy. The … Read More
European Union
Europe’s ETS Scheme Branded A Failure
Most critics of emission trading schemes argue that they do not solve the problem. Pollution permits allow people to do just that, pollute. Well figures from the EU show what a sham Europe’s emission trading scheme (ETS) is. New figures show that the ETS scheme failed to deliver the promised curbs in pollution and that … Read More
Open Skies Plan Will Worsen Climate Change
Plans to be agreed today at the EU to open up transatlantic aviation and generate an extra 26 million air passengers over five years will undermine Europe’s push to combat climate change, campaigners have warned. The “open skies” agreement is being hailed as a revolution by officials who say it will deliver more competition and … Read More
Gore Urges EU to take Lead on Climate
Europe’s leaders meet in Brussels today to sign a binding agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020, a figure that would rise to 30 per cent if the US follows suit. They are being urged on by Al Gore, the former American vice-president said on a visit to Brussels that … Read More
EU Agrees Binding Carbon Cuts
European countries have agreed to a fresh cut in CO2 emissions covering the period after the Kyoto agreement finishes in 2012. The agreement calls for a cut of 20 per cent on 1990 levels but that figure will rise to 30 per cent if it can be agreed internationally. The agreement has been hailed as … Read More
EU Bows to Car Lobby on Pollution Limits
No surprises here really. The European Commission has missed a vital chance to impose tough curbs on CO2 emissions from cars after fierce lobbying from the car lobby, especially German manufacturers. Instead the Commission will opt today for a blueprint on emission limits that avoids placing the maximum burden on car-makers.
EU Carmakers Complain Over CO2 Targets
On Wednesday the EU Commission will vote on whether to impose tough new CO2 emission limits for new motor vehicles. In a predictable response, European carmakers are warning that jobs will be lost and their brands will “suffer” if strict targets are imposed.
Climate Change Will Devastate EU
Europe will be devastated by climate change, the European Union predicts today. The ecosystems that have underpinned societies from Ancient Greece and Rome to present-day Britain and France, will be disabled by remorselessly rising temperatures, EU scientists forecast in a remarkable report which, the Independent calls “as ominous as it is detailed”.
Merkel Attacks Moscow as Row Escalates
The crisis over Russian oil supplies has escalated into a full-scale confrontation with Europe as Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, condemned Moscow’s decision to turn off the tap as “unacceptable”. She said Russia’s tactics were destroying its credibility as a reliable energy partner. The comments came after Russia halted supplies to several countries, including Poland, after … Read More
Russia Halts Oil Flow to EU as Belarus Row Escalates
Russia has halted the delivery of oil to Europe via Belarus as the acrimonious row between the two countries escalates, raising fears of oil shortages in at least five countries. Transneft, Russia’s state-controlled pipeline operator, said it had been forced to shut its 2,500-mile Druzhba pipeline, one of the world’s longest, because of a pricing … Read More