Latest news with #PaulinaHennig-Kloska
Euronews
10 hours ago
- Business
- Euronews
Hungary and Slovakia resist EU's energy security plan
Hungary and Slovakia declined to endorse an EU text outlining how Europe will phase out its reliance on Russian natural gas and oil on Monday. The European Commission's proposal is to ban EU Russian gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by the end of 2027, and the executive is now expected to propose the law on Tuesday, which could still pass without the approval of the two countries. 'Europe's energy security depends on its sovereignty. We must diversify partnerships, reinforce infrastructure, invest in renewables, and complete the single energy market. The time to act is now - we keep on learning this the hard way,' Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Polish Minister for Climate and Environment told journalists. 'Hungary vetoed Council conclusions urging theEuropean Commission to move ahead with the plan to ban Russian gas and oil. Energy policy is a national competence and this endangers our sovereignty and energy security. Given the Middle East escalation, we proposed no such plan be tabled at all,' Hungarian minister for foreign affairs Péter Szijjártó wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The Polish Presidency, which will conclude its rotating leadership at the end of June, clarified that the text is not a formal 'Council conclusion' but rather an 'ambitious proposal' intended to gauge the views of member states on the proposed road map. European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen told journalists that the EU executive will present a new legislative proposal on the topic on Tuesday, given the strong support for the proposal. The Commission is reported to plan proposing the ban using a legal basis that could enable it to be adopted with a reinforced majority of countries and a majority of the European Parliament. A reinforced majority requires the support of 15 or more of the EU's 27 members, representing at least 65% of the EU's population. Lars Aagaard, Danish Minister for Climate and Energy, told journalists on Monday that Danish presidency will make an effort to 'reach [political approval] as fast as possible', adding: 'If we succeed in concluding [the legislation] before New Year, I think that we have done a tremendous job." The EU has significantly reduced its energy imports from Russia since 2021. Russian gas imports fell from 45% in 2021 to 19% in 2024, with projections of dropping to 13% in 2025. Crude oil imports from Russia declined from 27% in 2022 to 3% in 2024. Despite progress, Russia still supplies gas, oil, and nuclear materials. India will strengthen its defence partnership with Cyprus through expanded collaboration between their defence sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Monday during a state visit to the island nation — the first by an Indian premier in over two decades. Modi, following talks with the president of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, stated that bilateral cooperation in maritime security and cybersecurity would be intensified, although he did not elaborate on specifics. The two nations also agreed to establish an information-sharing framework aimed at countering terrorism. In a joint statement, both leaders pledged to enhance maritime cooperation, including more frequent Indian naval visits to Cypriot ports and the exploration of joint training and search-and-rescue operations. Highlighting the strategic importance of Cyprus in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Modi said the initiative could foster 'peace and prosperity in the Middle East.' The corridor aims to enhance trade, energy, and digital connectivity, positioning Cyprus as a key hub due to its proximity to India and the Middle East. Christodoulides described Cyprus as India's 'gateway into Europe,' offering a base for Indian firms looking to expand westward. He committed to backing key infrastructure initiatives like IMEC and noted that deepening India-EU ties — including progress on a free trade agreement — would be a priority during Cyprus's EU presidency in the first half of 2026. Modi hailed the visit as the beginning of a 'new era' in India-Cyprus relations, rooted in long-standing ties and mutual values. Both countries, once British colonies, share a history of cooperation through the Non-Aligned Movement, having remained independent of Cold War allegiances.
Euronews
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
EU governments discuss action on disinformation over climate policy
ADVERTISEMENT Europe is being inundated with fake news about environmental, climate and energy policy, Poland's environment minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska said on Tuesday as she opened an informal summit of EU climate ministers. Ministers, who met in Warsaw under the auspices of the Polish presidency of the EU Council, arrived with a fresh example following the catastrophic power failure in Spain and Portugal, which triggered a wave of conspiracy theories and false reports. Related Iberian Peninsula blackout sparks spread of false theories online 'In recent months we've have more targeted disinformation used for political purposes, very often by our political adversaries,' Hennig-Kloska told reporters after the discussion, which was held behind closed doors. There was also unintentional misinformation due to a 'lack of understanding of the complexities of European law', she added. Hennig-Kloska cited a banal example – reports last year that Brussels wants to ban bacon-flavoured crisps, when in fact EU governments agreed to phase out eight smoke flavourings over concerns they may increase the risk of cancer – but said the principle can be applied more broadly. European governments have so far lacked a coordinated approach to tackling disinformation, the minister said, but the debate had 'opened the topic at the level of the Council', she said. 'Cognitive war' The Polish government published in January a report commissioned from its military counterintelligence service that pointed to a 'cognitive war' waged by Russia and Belarus at a cost of $2-4bn a year. While much of that has been focusing on the Ukraine war, a significant part was also found to target green policies and climate activism. There is a link, in that the EU is counting on ramping up renewable energy production to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports. The Commission is due to present next week a roadmap for a total phase out by 2027. "Disinformation is an action to the detriment of people," Hennig-Kloska said. "In that way, various forces are trying to delay, for example Europe's energy transition, which is clearly beneficial for us." Climate campaigners are concerned that disinformation is contributing to a pushback in Brussels against a raft of environmental legislation adopted European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen's first term at the helm of the EU executive. 'Disinformation is on the rise – especially around EU climate and environmental policies,' said Chiara Martinelli, director of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe. 'It has become a go-to weapon for groups and individuals seeking to polarise European societies and erode trust in democratic institutions like national governments and the European Union,' Martinelli told Euronews. Hennig-Kloska said ministers had agreed there were currently 'no effective measures to combat disinformation' and that such measures would need to be put in place. No concrete plans were put on the table at the meeting, however, and the next step would be discussions with the Commission, the minister added. One element would be 'positive communications' from Brussels, including an overhaul of the way the EU institutions communicate with the public – their language needs to be 'simpler and less official', the Polish minister said.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government passes legislation dismantling barriers to low-cost energy: 'This is an important step'
Poland has made it easier to build onshore wind farms, speeding up its transition to a cleaner energy source. According to Reuters, the Polish government approved legislation to ease regulations for building onshore wind farms. Poland is the European Union's second-highest emitter of planet-warming pollution in relation to the size of its economy. The move will help the country deliver on a pledge to lower emissions and increase the use of clean energy sources such as wind and solar. Currently, Poland has around 11 gigawatts of onshore wind capacity. The new rules could raise that capacity to 41 gigawatts by 2040, per Reuters. The rules will also allow wind farms to be closer to residential areas while restricting projects from encroaching on national parks and protected natural areas. The new legislation is part of Poland's broader effort to transition to renewable energy sources and away from dirty coal, its dominant source. Per the International Energy Agency, 59% of the planet-heating pollution Poland emits comes from coal. Burning coal is a major contributor to the rise of global temperatures. According to National Geographic, coal puts out more carbon dioxide per unit of energy than any other fossil fuel. Coal use is extremely unhealthy. Air pollution from burning coal has been blamed for 47,000 premature deaths annually in Poland. Change is in the air. In 2024, Poland used less coal-fired power and nearly 30% of electricity was generated from these less expensive sources, per Reuters. More affordable energy projects are in the works, including a 15-megawatt solar farm. Efforts are also being made to make the supply chain planet-friendly. The turbine towers for a new offshore wind project will be built with recycled steel. Do you think governments should ban gas stoves? Heck yes! Only in new buildings Only in restaurants Heck no! Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Removing barriers from renewable energy projects not only helps clean up the air and cool down the planet; it will also create jobs and provide a boost to the Polish economy. "This is an important step in the government's efforts to reduce electricity prices in Poland," wrote Paulina Hennig-Kloska, minister of climate and environment, on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We are introducing solutions that will support the production of energy from renewable sources!" Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Reuters
21-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Polish cabinet approves liberalisation of wind farm rules
WARSAW, March 21 (Reuters) - The Polish government has approved on Friday draft legislation easing rules to build onshore wind farms, a key step in delivering a 2023 election pledge to boost power production from renewable energy sources. The new rules, which need to be approved by parliament, cut the distance required between planned installations and residential locations, while keeping permitting more restrictive for projects close to national parks and protected natural areas. "The Council of Ministers has just adopted, by circulation, the draft law on onshore wind farms," Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska wrote on social media platform X. The previous government of the Law and Justice party blocked the development of onshore wind for most of its eight years in power, but renewable output has been growing at the expense of coal-fired power which still dominates the mix. In 2024, nearly 30% of Polish electricity was generated from renewable sources. The liberalisation of wind permitting rules creates the potential to install about 41 gigawatts of onshore wind capacity by 2040, according to the Polish Wind Energy Association. The country currently has nearly 11 gigawatts of installed wind capacity.
