The annual benefits of additional measures needed to achieve the 2030 national emissions ceilings are estimated at €13–58 billion, up to 84 times higher than the estimated costs.
Several countries in Europe have recently built or are planning to build new coal power stations. Some examples from Germany were described in the last issue of Acid News (AN2/2018), and further examples of such plants from Eastern Europe are presented here.
Between 2005 and 2015 wind power grew fourfold and solar by a factor of 72 in the EU. But this growth is very unevenly spread in the EU and in wider Europe.
On 2 May the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament launched a report that examines the relationships between governments and the fossil fuel industry.
Development of Kyoto GHG emissions in Europe 1990 to 2015
Greenhouse gas emissions in Europe are falling rapidly in some countries and not at all in others. The great variation geographically and over time show that much more can be done.
Climate change and air pollution top environmental concerns in EU
EU citizens consider climate change as one of the most important environmental issues, closely followed by air pollution, according to the results of a new Eurobarometer survey.
The first global, long-term satellite study of airborne ammonia gas has revealed increasing levels of the pollutant over four of the world’s most productive agricultural regions.
Almost 90 per cent of new power in Europe came from renewable sources in 2016. For the first time windfarms accounted for more than half of the capacity installed.