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Manuel Berkel

Manuel Berkel Published: August 23rd, 2023

Gas storage facilities: Ukraine signals concession

It is a steep curve that has shown a trend reversal in European gas trade since mid-July. Since then, the return flows of gas from the EU to Ukraine have been higher than in the whole of last year, data from the Bruegel think tank show. For decades, gas flowed mainly westward with transit across […]

Manuel Berkel Published: August 23rd, 2023

EU climate target 2040: respondents want CO2 reduction in transport

In the EU Commission’s consultation on the Union’s climate target for 2040, a majority of participants spoke out in favor of more speed in climate protection. The highest level of support for greater CO2 reductions was in the transport sector – both aviation and road transport. That’s according to a summary of feedback published by […]

Manuel Berkel Published: August 22nd, 2023

EU fines: Spain pays the most

Spain has made the highest penalty payments to the EU budget in recent years. The member state, which currently holds the EU Council Presidency, has paid nearly €80 million in penalties to the EU since 2011. This is according to a response from Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn to a question from MEP Moritz Körner (FDP). […]

Manuel Berkel Published: August 21st, 2023

Dogs and cats: Commission considers compulsory registration

In view of the sometimes torturous conditions in the European animal trade, the EU Commission is considering an obligation to identify and register young dogs and cats. In the revision of animal welfare legislation in the Union, the EU is considering corresponding obligations for commercial breeding operations. This is the result of two answers from […]

Manuel Berkel Published: August 21st, 2023

Gas storage facilities full – residual risk remains

Despite full gas storage in the EU, cases in which member states need to supply gas to others could occur next winter, according to the Bruegel think tank. “I find it unlikely, but there are scenarios where solidarity could be put to the test,” said energy expert Ben McWilliams to Table.Media. Examples include a very […]

Manuel Berkel Published: August 18th, 2023

The formation of a government in Madrid is beginning to have an impact on the Spanish presidency. Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez yesterday secured the support of two separatist parties in the first important parliamentary vote. A PSOE candidate was elected as president of the Chamber of Deputies. One quid pro quo: Sánchez now has the […]

Manuel Berkel Published: August 17th, 2023

Social associations for building-specific refurbishment standards

In the dispute over the EU Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), an alliance of German social and environmental associations has spoken out in favor of building-specific energy standards. “We call on the German government to continue to advocate the minimum energy performance standards for buildings (MEPS) proposed by the EU Commission in the negotiations,” the […]

Manuel Berkel Published: August 17th, 2023

Hydrogen: USA attracts more capital

According to a media report, European hydrogen companies have found it increasingly difficult to attract private capital since the US IRA came into effect. In the first quarter of 2022, green and low-carbon hydrogen projects in the EU still attracted venture capital of €343 million, almost three times as much as in the US, the […]

Manuel Berkel Published: August 16th, 2023

When the German government’s first solar package sees the light of day today, a few light gray clouds will hover over Berlin – at least metaphorically. This is because important parts of the upcoming cabinet decision are subject to subsidies from Brussels.The remuneration for Agri-PV, i.e. the simultaneous use of agricultural land for photovoltaics, can […]

Manuel Berkel Published: August 13th, 2023

Gas heating ban cracks

The EU Commission is looking into possible exemptions from the ban on gas and oil-only heating systems from 2029. “There may be certain situations where the installation of alternatives to gas boilers could be difficult and/or very expensive, which is why the Commission is discussing possible exemptions,” Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson wrote in a response […]