Latest news with #EU-wide
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
EU climate investments lagging ‘well below' target: report
BRUSSELS: Climate investments in the 27-nation EU are still far below what is needed to transition away from fossil fuels, a new report warned Tuesday, spotlighting lagging investments in wind power and building renovation. After a stretch of sustained growth, public and private investments in key climate-related sectors -- energy, buildings, transport and clean-tech manufacturing -- have been flatlining in recent years, said the report by the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE). Between 2022 and 2023, EU-wide investments grew from 491 to 498 billion euros -- with the data available so far for 2024 pointing to a slowdown, the think tank found. Present investment levels were 'well below' what the bloc needs to meet its 2030 emissions reduction goal, which the institute estimates to require 842 billion euros each year. The findings contrast with the signal sent by the European Commission, which last week declared the bloc on track to meet its 2030 target of slashing planet-warming emissions by 55 percent compared to 1990 levels. The commission's upbeat projection was based on the energy and climate plans drawn up by EU member states. 'It's easy to set goals, more difficult to implement the policies,' cautioned Jean Pisani-Ferry, the I4CE's chair, at the report's launch in Brussels. Wind power and energy renovations in older buildings are falling especially short -- with investments at around one third of what is needed, the report said. Solar power investments, however, were on the right track. The I4CE did not factor in investments in nuclear power, which it says remain outside the scope of its report because 'the EU does not have precise objectives to develop nuclear energy.' The EU's vice president for the clean transition, Teresa Ribera -- who was present for the report's launch -- acknowledged the investment shortfall was a 'point of concern'. 'We can do better,' she said, arguing that 'a lot of strengths are not fully exploited' within the bloc. The EU has set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, and says it has already cut emissions by 37 percent compared to 1990. Brussels now needs to agree on an interim target for 2040 -- expected to be unveiled on July 2 -- with the commission seeking to cut emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
EU climate investments lagging 'well below' target: report
BRUSSELS: Climate investments in the 27-nation EU are still far below what is needed to transition away from fossil fuels, a new report warned Tuesday, spotlighting lagging investments in wind power and building renovation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After a stretch of sustained growth, public and private investments in key climate-related sectors, energy, buildings, transport and clean-tech manufacturing, have been flatlining in recent years, said the report by the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE). Between 2022 and 2023, EU-wide investments grew from 491 to 498 billion euros, with the data available so far for 2024 pointing to a slowdown, the think tank found. Present investment levels were "well below" what the bloc needs to meet its 2030 emissions reduction goal, which the institute estimates to require 842 billion euros each year. The findings contrast with the signal sent by the European Commission, which last week declared the bloc on track to meet its 2030 target of slashing planet-warming emissions by 55 percent compared to 1990 levels. The commission's upbeat projection was based on the energy and climate plans drawn up by EU member states. "It's easy to set goals, more difficult to implement the policies," cautioned Jean Pisani-Ferry, the I4CE's chair, at the report's launch in Brussels. Wind power and energy renovations in older buildings are falling especially short, with investments at around one third of what is needed, the report said. Solar power investments, however, were on the right track. The I4CE did not factor in investments in nuclear power, which it says remain outside the scope of its report because "the EU does not have precise objectives to develop nuclear energy." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The EU's vice president for the clean transition, Teresa Ribera, who was present for the report's launch -- acknowledged the investment shortfall was a "point of concern". "We can do better," she said, arguing that "a lot of strengths are not fully exploited" within the bloc. The EU has set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, and says it has already cut emissions by 37 percent compared to 1990. Brussels now needs to agree on an interim target for 2040, expected to be unveiled on July 2, with the commission seeking to cut emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels.
DW
3 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Germany updates: Mannheim remembers 2024 knife attack victim – DW – 05/31/2025
German authorities have unveiled a memorial plaque commemorating a police officer who died due to a knife attack in the city of Mannheim last year. In other news, the number of naturalizations in Germany hit a record level in 2024 after a citizenship reform went into effect. In regards to irregular migration, Germany's interior minister hopes for an EU-wide consensus on sending failed asylum seekers to third countries. Here's a roundup of the latest news stories from Germany on May 31, 2025:
DW
3 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Germany updates: Mannheim to remember knife attack victims – DW – 05/31/2025
German authorities will unveil a memorial plaque commemorating a police officer who died due to a knife attack in the city of Mannheim last year. In other news, the number of naturalizations in Germany hit a record level in 2024 after a citizenship reform went into effect. In regards to irregular migration, Germany's interior minister hopes for an EU-wide consensus on sending failed asylum seekers to third countries. Here's a roundup of the latest news stories from Germany on May 31, 2025:
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘They are exploiting consumers' says buyer advocacy bosses as Ryanair welcomes complaint about hand luggage fees
RYANAIR has welcomed a recent complaint filed by the European Consumer Organisation BEUC - claiming the airline is "exploiting consumers". The BEUC alleged that 3 Ryanair has been told they are exploiting consumers by a buyers advocacy group Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 The airline has welcomed the complaint filed against them Credit: Alamy Lodged last week, the complaint calls for an EU-wide investigation into the commercial practices of these airlines and the broader sector. He said: 'They are are exploiting consumers and ignoring the EU's top court, which ruled that charging for reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal. "This was confirmed by recent fines in Spain, which made clear that passengers can bring their reasonably sized hand baggage onboard at no additional cost.' READ MORE IN TRAVEL In response, Ryanair maintained that its baggage policy complies with The airline said that passengers are allowed a 'generous' 40cm x 25cm x 20cm personal bag free of charge as part of the airfare, with the option to add extra bags for an extra fee. They said: 'This policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice. 'If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers". Most read in The Irish Sun Back in 2014, the EU Court of Justice decided that airlines aren't allowed to charge extra for hand luggage, as long as it's reasonably sized, not too heavy and passes Ryanair argues that this confirms that airlines are entitled to charge passengers for carrying extra bags, as long as their essential items, such as a small personal bag is included in the ticket price. How to check in for a Ryanair flight The According to BEUC, its data shows that consumers expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when purchasing basic tickets. They said: 'Consumers expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when buying basic tickets. "Policymakers should also define hand luggage's 'reasonable size and weight' to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money." SPANISH COURT This complaint adds to an increasing number of legal disputes challenging airlines over hand luggage fees. In 2019, a The court determined that airlines cannot charge for hand baggage that meets reasonable weight and size requirements and complies with security regulations. Despite these rulings, Ryanair continues to enforce its baggage policies, asserting that they comply with EU law and that passengers have the option to add extra bags for an additional fee. The airline's stance has been met with criticism from consumer rights groups across Europe, who are arguing that charging for hand luggage is an unfair practice that violates EU regulations. And they hope that such complaints will lead to clearer guidelines and fairer treatment for passengers. 3 The airline has previously been involved in legal disputes regarding hand luggage fees Credit: Ryanair
