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.
Europe
This archive covers progress stories from across Europe, spanning the U.K., Scandinavia, the E.U. and beyond. Readers will find reporting on health, climate policy, social welfare, science and more — drawn from nearly 1,200 articles tracking real gains made by communities, governments and researchers throughout the region.
Enel plans to invest €10.6 billion in 11.6 GW of renewable energy
Italian energy giant Enel has announced its Strategic Plan for the next three years, which includes plans to invest €10.6 billion in new renewable energy capacity with plans to create an additional 11.6 gigawatts (GW).
The Prince of Wales launches ‘Waste to Wealth’ commitment
The commitment will ensure that these companies work collectively to help double the nation’s resource productivity and reduce avoidable waste by 2030. They are required to set targets to improve the productivity that are key for business.
U.K. pledges £50m to help end female genital mutilation across Africa by 2030
The British government is to invest £50m in an attempt to end female genital mutilation by 2030, claiming it is the single biggest investment to tackle the issue by an international donor.
Scientists in Sweden develop liquid that can store solar energy for more than a decade
Scientists in Sweden have developed a specialized fluid, called a solar thermal fuel, that can reportedly store energy captured from the sun for over a decade.
France announces plans to ban deforestation imports
Five French Government departments have announced the adoption of a new nation strategy to end deforestation caused by the import of unsustainable forest or agricultural products, including palm oil, beef, wood, and soy.
Spain will switch to 100% renewable energy by 2050
The country will install at least 3,000 megawatts of wind and solar power capacity every year for the next ten years. This will result in greenhouse gas emissions being cut by 90 per cent compared to 1990 levels by the middle of the century.
Special bacteria is found to be a ‘battery’ that turns sewage waste into clean hydrogen energy
A new study has found that purple phototrophic bacteria when supplied with an electric current can recover near to 100% of carbon from any type of organic waste, while generating hydrogen gas for electricity production.
BBC announces new Greener Broadcasting strategy
The broadcaster has set a number of sustainability goals to be completed by 2022. They aim to reduce carbon emissions by 24 per cent as well as operating a zero waste to landfill policy.
Denmark to ban sale of new fossil fuel cars in 11 years
The prime minister of Denmark announced that the country will be banning the sale of new gasoline and diesel-fueled cars in 2030 as a means of reducing their carbon footprint.