Climate

How are polluting industries lobbying against real climate action?

Emissions trading reform: romancing the polluters

14.02.2017

The European Parliament voted on the reform of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) on 15 February, agreeing to weak annual climate targets and massive new handouts to polluters for another decade.

Expert groups

Corporate interests continue to dominate key expert groups

14.02.2017

New study on the Commission's legislative advisory groups highlights a continuing Big Business bias - despite Commission's new rules.

Investor privileges (ISDS)

Gold-digging with investor-state lawsuits

13.02.2017

Canadian mining company Gabriel Resources is using an investor-state lawsuit to push through its illegal toxic goldmine in the historical Romanian village of Roşia Montană. The claim foreshadows the multi-billion $ claims which could hit EU member states if the EU-Canada trade deal CETA comes into force.

Civil society calls on European Parliament environment committee to reject CETA

11.01.2017

Trade unions and environmental organisations are calling on the European Parliament's environmental committee to reject the controversial EU-Canada trade deal CETA, which could undermine EU environmental and public health standards.

Transport

Dieselgate report slams Commission and national governments for maladministration

20.12.2016

After nine months of hearings, the draft report of the EU Parliament’s inquiry into the Dieselgate scandal has it black on white: the European Commission and EU member states had known since 2004-05 that diesel cars’ nitrogen oxide emissions were far above legal limits – yet neither took action.

Carbon trading

Carbon Welfare

02.12.2016

The reform of the EU Emissions Trading System could hand more than €230 billion in subsidies to energy intensive industries, a new report from Corporate Europe Observatory shows.

Cañete takes European fossil fuel interests to Marrakech climate summit

16.11.2016

As the final days of COP22 approach, Corporate Europe Observatory, Corporate Accountability International, 350.org and AITEC have published further evidence of the close relationship between policy makers and Big Polluters in the EU. The central findings of the analysis are presented in three infographics.

Carbon trading

The EU Emissions Trading System might subsidise new coal plants in Greece. Wait, what?

08.11.2016

Subsidies raised through the Emissions Trading System, the EU’s flagship policy to reduce climate change, could be the key to ensuring that two new coal-fired power stations are built in Greece, according to a recent report in The Guardian newspaper. Wait - what!?

Leak exposes Commission attempt to delay policing of diesel emissions

07.11.2016

As the investigation into the Dieselgate affair deepens both in VW’s home country Germany as well as at EU-level, the European Commission’s role in the scandal comes into focus. Corporate Europe Observatory recently obtained leaked documents which reveal the illegal attempt of the Commission’s enterprise department (DG Enterprise) to delay enforcement of EU emissions standards for diesel cars in a bid to help industry save money.

UN climate talks

Tell World Leaders to Kick Big Polluters out of Climate Policy!

19.10.2016

As world leaders prepare for COP22 in Marrakesh, Morocco, this November, the oil and gas industry retains a firm grip on the UN climate talks and climate policy in general. It’s time to break free and reclaim power over climate policy.

Transport

Climate Con: why a new global deal on aviation emissions is really bad news

27.09.2016

The International Civil Aviation Organization is expected to agree a new climate deal at its current assembly meeting. But its promise of “carbon neutral” flying through voluntary carbon offsetting is delusive, posing new threats to the environment and communities.

Fossil free politics

La Comisión y las principales empresas energéticas continúan calentando el clima, a pesar del Acuerdo de París

14.06.2016

Habiendo transcurrido seis meses desde que celebraron su primer aniversario en el cargo y del informe de Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) Políticas precocinadas: Un año de acceso privilegiado de las grandes empresas energéticas a los comisarios del clima, una nueva investigación de Corporate Europe Observatory acerca de con quiénes se reúnen los Comisarios y sus gabinetes, especialmente después del acuerdo de París, demuestra que las cosas apenas han cambiado.i Ni en cuanto a quiénes disfrutan de acceso privilegiado, ni al apoyo de la UE a más combustibles fósiles, a pesar de la afirmació