Audi accelerates electric vehicle plans with $12 billion investment
By 2025, Audi says that it will have “more than 30 electrified models in its product range” and “20 of which will be fully electric.”
Europe
This archive covers progress stories and milestones from across Europe, spanning health, climate policy, social equity, and scientific research. From small-nation experiments to E.U.-wide initiatives, these reports highlight what is working and why.
Mainland Spain registers first coal-free day
Mainland Spain went coal free from 23:50 local time on 13 December until 21:20 on 15 December — making 14 December the first day of no coal burn since records began.
Germany bans gay conversion therapy for minors
Germany is banning gay conversion therapy for minors saying the practice that purports to make patients straight has no scientific basis and often causes psychological harm.
Ireland unveils plan for 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030
Ireland has published its long-awaited Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, unveiling details on how the country will increase its share of renewable energy to 70% by 2030.
EasyJet becomes world’s first carbon-neutral airline by offsetting all emissions
EasyJet will begin to offset emissions from its 331 planes immediately. It will become the world’s first major airline to operate net zero carbon flights across their entire network.
European Investment Bank to phase out fossil fuel financing by 2021
The bank will end its financing of oil, gas, and coal projects after 2021, a policy that will make the EU’s lending arm the first multilateral lender to rule out financing for projects that contribute to the climate crisis.
First-ever Ebola vaccine approved by European regulators
The drug, which has already been given to hundreds of thousands of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, can now be distributed more widely.
Italy to become first country to make studying climate change compulsory in schools
Under a new law, all state schools will dedicate around an hour a week to sustainability and climate change issues from the beginning of the next academic year.
E.U. Commission passes new laws to make large appliances easier to repair
The so-called “Right to Repair” law says spare parts should remain available for at least seven to ten years after the appliance has been sold.
Diesel and petrol-fuelled cars banned in Brussels by 2035
The government of the Brussels-Capital Region has approved its far-reaching climate plan, which includes a complete ban on cars that run on diesel or petrol by 2035.