Europe·since 26 May·331 entries
The EU's climate agenda has shifted from legislative expansion to implementation, simplification, and competitiveness-driven recalibration, with the Commission, Paris, Berlin and now Parliament's centrist groups moving to soften the 2035 combustion-engine car ban.
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On 20 October, negotiators from the EPP, S&D and Renew groups in Parliament agreed a draft cutting new-car CO2 by 87.5% by 2035 against 2021 if EU-made low-carbon steel is used. Pollar's report puts the headline figure at 95%. Some renewable-fuel vehicles would count as zero-emission, and the van target would be 80%.
The draft goes further than the 90% cut Germany and France announced on 16 October. It needs committee and plenary votes, then talks with member states. Spain opposes dropping the zero-emission objective, and a plenary vote is planned for 23 November.
The 15-16 October summit set no new ETS2 timetable. Leaders asked the Commission to reassess impacts, design, safeguards and timeline, while Poland, Italy, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia pressed for a delay to 2030. ETS2 is still scheduled to price road transport and buildings from 2028.
The Commission proposed a one-year delay to methane rules for imported oil and gas, yet its 20 October Arctic strategy says oil, coal and gas should stay in the ground. Poland rejects routing 30% of ETS auction revenue into the EU budget. Ministers hear the case for a two-year ETS2 postponement on 28 October.
Maroš Šefčovič EU Trade Commissioner
Negotiated the 9 October understanding with China, which would cap Chinese hybrid and plug-in-hybrid imports at 350,000 a year.
13 Oct
Emmanuel Macron French President
Said on 12 October that France and Germany were close to a deal, which Paris and Berlin then agreed on 16 October for the 2035 car target.
16 Oct
Germany EU member state government
Agreed with France to seek a 90% CO2 cut for new cars in 2035 with no offsets; Parliament's centrist groups have now gone further, with 87.5% under a steel condition.
20 Oct
France EU member state government
Agreed with Germany to soften the 2035 target while pushing tighter European-content rules.
18 Oct
Poland EU member state government
Rejects routing 30% of ETS auction revenue into the EU budget and may block the 2028-2034 package; signed a deal on 13 October to prepare a second nuclear plant, with technology partner selection targeted for 2027.
17 Oct
Italy EU member state government
Had its gas-cost cap approved by the Commission but its ETS requests were declined; it also pressed for ETS2 delay at the summit.
20 Oct
European Commission EU executive
Approved Italy's gas-cost cap, declined its ETS requests, proposed a one-year methane rule delay, and presented an Arctic strategy on 20 October keeping fossil fuels in the ground.
20 Oct
EPP, S&D and Renew negotiators European Parliament centrist groups
Agreed on 20 October a 2035 new-car CO2 cut of 87.5% with EU-made low-carbon steel, pending committee and plenary votes.
20 Oct
Negotiators from the EPP, S&D and Renew agreed on 20 October to an 87.5% new-car CO2 cut by 2035 against 2021 with EU-made low-carbon steel, going beyond the Franco-German 90% proposal. Committee and plenary votes are still needed before it becomes Parliament's position.
The European Commission and foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas presented an Arctic strategy in Strasbourg on 20 October. It plans satellite monitoring, a subsea cable hub and possible joint icebreaker purchases, while keeping fossil fuels in the ground.
The European Commission approved an Italian proposal to limit gas costs for households and businesses, while declining Rome's requests concerning the EU emissions-trading system, Repubblica reported on 17 October.
At the 15 October European Council summit, leaders committed to updating the assessment of ETS2, the carbon-pricing system for heating and road transport, and to reviewing its design and safeguards for vulnerable households. Italy and several central and eastern states had sought delay or suspension.
Berlin and Paris provisionally agreed to replace the 100% zero-emission requirement for new cars in 2035 with a 90% reduction target, dropping the obligation to offset the remaining 10%. Public support would favour EU-made vehicles. It is not yet an EU position.
The European Commission proposed on 14 October postponing by one year the application of EU methane-emissions requirements to imported oil and gas, Reuters reported. The move followed pressure from several governments, including France and the United States.
Warsaw says it will not accept a Commission plan to route 30% of ETS auction revenue into the EU budget, and RMF FM reports it could block the 2028-2034 package. The issue is on the 15-16 October European Council agenda.
CPK submitted three applications to the European Commission under the Connecting Europe Facility for more than €63 million. The requests cover the Łódź tunnel section of the Polish high-speed line and cross-border planning.
ZE PAK and SGE, controlled by Michał Sołowow, agreed to set up a special purpose vehicle to build up to six BWRX-300 small modular reactors at Pątnów near Konin. ZE PAK shares rose about 3.5% in Warsaw the same day.
The Ministry of Energy, PEJ and PGE signed an agreement on 13 October making PEJ investor and coordinator, with PGE supplying location analyses and feasibility studies. Bełchatów and Konin remain preferred sites; the updated programme targets a technology partner in 2027 and construction around 2032.
Italy is seeking permission to use EU fiscal flexibility beyond the green transition, to support households and businesses facing higher energy prices and inflation, Reuters reported on 13 October. Finance Minister Giorgetti called for "selective and temporary support."
The EU-China arrangement sets an annual quota of 350,000 hybrid and plug-in-hybrid cars, after which no extra vehicles can enter the market. The mechanism could start on 1 December if the whole EU bloc backs it.
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Maroš Šefčovič EU Trade Commissioner
13 Oct
Emmanuel Macron French President
16 Oct
Germany EU member state government
20 Oct
France EU member state government
18 Oct
Poland EU member state government
17 Oct
Italy EU member state government
20 Oct
European Commission EU executive
20 Oct
EPP, S&D and Renew negotiators European Parliament centrist groups
20 Oct