Analysts have increased their forecasts for prices in Europe’s carbon market to 2021 as supply cuts begin to bite, but warned that short-term prices will be volatile due to uncertainty about Britain’s departure from the European Union.
Reuters 16th Jan 2019 read more »
The UK spends the most of any EU nation on subsidising fossil fuels, according to a new report by the European Commission, which also found that EU-wide payments have failed to decrease despite the bloc’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change. In 2016, the UK pumped more than €12bn into fossil fuel support, closely followed by Germany, France, Italy and Spain. However, those countries actually then spent more on renewable energies like wind and solar than on coal, gas and oil. Fossil fuels enjoyed an estimated €55bn in public funding across the EU, with the energy sector the biggest recipient, followed by the residential sector, industry and transport.
Edie 16th Jan 2019 read more »
The government is to review a decision to allow open-cast coal mining in a valley in County Durham. Lawyers for the government have written to campaigners to say their decision-making was flawed and agreed to look again. The mine in the Pont Valley, known as Bradley, began operating last year after four decades of opposition. This week, James Brokenshire, the communities secretary, told campaigners the decision not to revoke permission for the mine would be re-examined. The move comes as Brokenshire is also considering whether to grant planning permission for another open-cast mine, at Druridge Bay in Northumberland. The mines are operated by Banks Group, which is at the forefront of open-cast mining, despi te the government’s pledge to phase out coal by 2025. Campaigners against the Bradley site were told this week by government lawyers that the decision would be reviewed after they threatened a judicial review of Brokenshire’s failure to step in and stop the mine from operating.
Guardian 16th Jan 2019 read more »
