Energy Transition in Europe | www.energy-cities.eu

Germany's federal cabinet has presented a bill to allocate €40 billion to some federal states so they can prepare for structural changes related to transitioning away from coal. However, it remains unclear when the power plants will be shut down. EURACTIV Germany reports.

The needs of Europe's coal regions in the context of the EU's energy transition were at the top of the agenda of the European Committee of the Regions' (CoR) commission for economic policy (ECON) on 9 July in Brussels. In an opinion drawn up by Mark Speich, Secretary of State for Federal, European and International Affairs from North Rhine Westphalia, ECON members called for adjusted state aid rules and additional funding for affected regions in the framework of cohesion policy 2021-2027.

The Mayor of Finland's capital launched a campaign on Wednesday aimed at tackling climate change called the Helsinki Challenge competition. During a Helsinki Symposium at City Hall, Mayor Jan Vapaavuori promised one million euros to whoever can devise an energy production method that would replace coal burning for heat in the capital city.

Landmark follows government pledge to phase out coal-fired electricity by 2025

The Energy Transition Fund called for by the European Parliament is more than just a pot of money to support coal-dependent regions, says Claude Turmes, Luxembourg’s minister for energy and spatial planning.

n January 2019, Germany made a big step towards a coal phase-out: A stakeholder commission established by the federal government agreed on a schedule for plant retirement and on measures to support coal regions. For experts and journalists seeking to understand the context of the phase-out decision, scientists from the German Institute for Economic Research, Ecologic Institute, and the Wuppertal Institute have developed a comprehensive reader detailing what is at stake. The publication explains why the phase-out is needed and how it can become a success. It also provides facts and figures on the German coal industry, including a list of all large coal plants and their technical properties. The report is also available for download in English.

While Germany and Eastern European countries continue to oppose raising the EU’s 40% emission reduction target for 2030, a new analysis insists the bloc will actually manage at least 50% cuts under a business-as-usual scenario taking into account the latest coal phase-out pledges.

Finland has brought forward its coal phase-out date by one year, according to reports, with the new deadline set for May 1, 2029, after which coal will be banned from use as an energy source except in an emergency. 

Many in Germany want to have their cake and eat it by scrapping nuclear power and avoiding coal at the same time. Pieter Cleppe looks at some of the questions raised by Germany’s decision.

A relatively unknown EU fund supports coal and steel research projects. Among other things, the money is used to purchase highly toxic gases and optimise processes in the coal industry. EURACTIV Germany reports.

The Slovak government is today approving a plan for Upper Nitra’s transition away from coal, which was created based on inputs from the local community.

Coal mining left Whitehaven in 1986, now it is about to return, bringing promises of jobs and division

German President Frank Steinmeier will be receiving the so-called ‘last piece of black coal’ today. A symbolic move for a largely symbolic role in the German government.

Germany has a complicated relationship with the resource. Black coal is just one of the many types of coal that powers over 35% of the nation. Last year in the town of Hambach, protesters and police clashed over a court order to move activists out of a forest which had been earmarked for the expansion of a coal mine next door.

A group of young trainees line up for jobs with one of the EU’s most polluting power plants.

Germany is ready to join an international alliance committed to phasing out coal use, environment minister Svenja Schulze has told national newspaper Taz.
A specially appointed commission advised in January the country can stop burning coal by 2038. On Thursday, chancellor Angela Merkel formed a “climate cabinet” from different ministries to steer a framework climate law through parliament.

Around 75% of coal production is more expensive than renewables, with industry out-competed on cost by 2025

An effort to cut emissions includes a heavy dose of politics.