E.U. agrees deal on single-use plastic ban
The single-use plastic ban was introduced earlier this year and yesterday the European commission agreed a deal to set the ban in place.
European Union
The EU says it is aiming to become the first major economy to go “climate neutral” by 2050
The European Union has set targets for 2030 of cutting emissions by 40%. Now it says it plans to go much further again by becoming climate neutral by 2050.
Two thirds of E.U. cities have climate change plans
66% of EU cities have a mitigation or adaptation plan in place. The top countries were Poland — where 97% of cities have mitigation plans — Germany (81%), Ireland (80%), Finland (78%) and Sweden (77%).
E.U. bank to invest €300 million in Chinese climate projects
The €300 million investment, signed with the Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank), will be used on a range of climate projects, including sustainable transport, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water infrastructure.
E.U. votes to increase 2030 renewable energy goal to 35%
The European Union Parliament voted Wednesday to increase its renewable energy goal for 2030 from a goal of 27% to a new target of 35%, which will now be taken to EU member states in upcoming talks.
European spending on energy efficient building technologies in 2026 to near $112 billion
The European market for energy efficient building technologies is expected to grow from $83.5 billion in 2017 to $111.9 billion in 2026.
China to join forces with Canada and EU to continue fight climate change despite Trump withdrawal
Environment ministers representing Canada, China and the European Union will co-host a meeting in Montreal later this month to advance implementation of the Paris climate change agreement.
Social media giants making progress on illegal hate speech takedowns in Europe
The European Commission is trumpeting what it dubs “significant progress” on illegal hate speech takedowns by Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft vs their performance six months prior.
$890 million E.U. package to help 79 developing nations combat climate change
The European Union (EU) will support 79 developing nations in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) with a €8 million ($891m) to implement a global deal to combat climate change.
E.U. mounts legal challenge over Hungary’s record on democracy
The European Union has launched a legal action against Hungary in a deliberate swipe at a country that stands accused by many in Brussels of backsliding on its commitments to democracy.