Coal
Central and Eastern Europe’s climate plans lack ambition, say environmental NGOs
Est. 4minThe updated national energy and climate plans (NECPs) are due to be submitted on 30 June, and environmental NGOs are denouncing the lack of ambition on the part of Central and Eastern European countries (CEE) in their decarbonisation policies.
Bulgaria risks losing billions in EU funds over coal miner spat
Est. 3minBulgaria risks losing €4.4 billion in EU funding under its Energy Recovery and Sustainability Plan as its parliament delays key legislative decisions due to a backlash from coal miners, which is likely to result in the European Commission withholding money from Bulgaria’s Recovery and Resilience Fund.
EU ‘declaring war’ on energy sector methane emissions
Est. 3minThe European Parliament adopted a pioneering new law to reduce methane emissions in the energy sector on Wednesday (10 April), but the oil and gas sector quickly pointed to potential implementation problems.
Coal phase-out: Germany shuts down 15 coal-fired power plants
Est. 2minGermany shut down 15 coal-fired power plants over Easter to ensure that the country would meet its climate neutrality targets, with Economy Minister Robert Habeck saying that the plants were “neither necessary nor economical”.
Bulgaria halved coal-fired power generation in 2023, upped solar
Est. 3minBulgaria’s coal-fired power plants halved their electricity output last year, while solar farms increased production by 141% compared to the previous year, according to data the country’s Energy and Water Regulatory Commission sent to parliament.
Departing from coal: Poland’s new energy roadmap
Est. 4minThe election of a new government in Poland has enabled this Central European country to revive its ambitions in terms of energy transition and to meet European targets.
Special EU fund for coal regions looks good but is costly, warns Czech study
Est. 4minCreating a new European fund to support coal regions – the Just Transition Fund – may look like a positive step for disadvantaged areas, but its administration is complex, costly and threatens its effective use, warns a new Czech study based on interviews with officials.
Estonia plans small nuclear reactor to quit oil shale by 2030
Est. 7minEstonia plans to build a small modular reactor (SMR) to wean itself off the addiction to polluting oil shale and meet its target of producing 100% decarbonised electricity by 2030. A vote in Parliament is expected "in the first half of 2024," officials say.
Germany’s dream of building a fleet of hydrogen-fired power plants is faltering
Est. 5minPlans to build a fleet of hydrogen power plants to supplement wind turbines and solar panels are faltering, amid a budgetary squeeze and demands for cost-cutting from industry.
More climate and ‘an end date’ for coal: Poland’s new green tide arrives in Brussels
Est. 3minThe new Polish government has announced its ambition to become a green player in Europe, backing a 90% greenhouse gas reduction target for 2040 and looking to pull forward the country’s coal exit.
EU Commission allocates €1.2 billion for transformation of coal regions in Bulgaria
Est. 3minThe European Commission allocated €1.2 billion on Thursday for the transformation of Stara Zagora, Kyustendil, and Pernik in Bulgaria under the Just Transition Fund.
Slovakia announces regional coal phase-out, set to save big
Est. 2minWith Slovakia set to completely phase out coal mining and burning in the Upper Nitra region by year’s end and the EU supporting employment, entrepreneurship and the development of green resources in the area with €226 million, Slovakia is set to reduce electricity costs by over €388 million.
Record more than 2,000 fossil fuel lobbyists at COP28 talks: NGOs
Est. 3minA record almost 2,500 fossil fuel lobbyists have been accredited for UN climate talks in Dubai, as negotiators wrestle with calls to end all new oil, gas and coal projects to curb global warming, campaign groups said Tuesday (5 December).
EBRD backs €4-billion plan to wean North Macedonia off coal power
Est. 3minInternational lenders including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank are backing a €4-billion plan to wean North Macedonia off coal-fired power, the head of the EBRD told Reuters.
Negotiators strike deal on first ever EU law to tackle methane leakage
Est. 5minThe EU struck an informal agreement on its first ever law to tackle methane emissions in the energy sector, following late-night negotiations in Brussels that will oblige importers of fossil fuels to match minimum standards from 2030.
EU deal on methane must not give coal mining industry a free pass
Est. 5minThe EU must not succumb to Poland's demands to dilute ambition on tackling methane emissions from coal mines, writes Dr Sabina Assan. Stricter rules will not only help address climate change but also ensure the future competitiveness of Poland's coking coal industry, she argues.
China releases methane control plan with no reduction target
Est. 3minChina has unveiled a broad plan to control its methane emissions, though the world's biggest emitter of the polluting gases is offering no specific target for reducing them.
German minister questions 2030 coal phase-out plans
Est. 3minGerman Finance Minister Christian Lindner made clear his opposition to the coalition’s flagship plan to phase out coal by 2030 in an interview on Tuesday, rejecting his government’s key pledge because Germany’s efforts would be meaningless if other EU countries were free to increase emissions under the bloc’s current rules.
Germany extends emergency coal capacity for another winter
Est. 2minFaced with another winter of scarce gas supplies, the German government is keeping its lignite coal power plants on standby for one more season.
Bulgarian government promises no forced closure of coal-fired power plants
Est. 3minThe Bulgarian government promised coal workers – who have been blocking roads in protest – that it would not take any administrative decisions to close coal-fired power stations until 2038, leaving the matter entirely to the free market.
Angry miners continue to block roads in Bulgaria over plans to abandon coal
Est. 3minBulgarian miners who are blocking highways and key roads in southern Bulgaria in a protest against the government – which officially submitted their territorial Just Transition Plans to the EU Commission on Friday – continued for the third day, with unions refusing to appear at the Council of Ministers for negotiations with Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov on Sunday.
Bulgarian government promised protesting miners a secure civil service
Est. 3minA protest in Sofia, organised by the two unions of Bulgarian miners and energy workers from the Maritsa basin, led to an agreement with the government to guarantee the preservation of jobs for those employed in the sector.
UN chief rails against ‘naked greed’ of fossil fuel interests ahead of COP28 summit
Est. 6minCountries addressing a climate summit during the UN General Assembly criticised big polluters for not doing more to tackle global warming, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said time was running short thanks to the "naked greed" of fossil fuel interests.
Poland to establish energy transition ministry
Est. 3minThe Polish government will set up a new Ministry of Energy Transition if the ruling camp secures its third consecutive term in power following October’s elections, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on Sunday (3 September).