In brief | 16 October ‘26

Élysée: France and Germany reach agreement on approach for the future of the European automotive industry

Governments agree package that provides "regulatory flexibility" regarding decarbonisation pathway, argue regulation must "reflect different market realities and technological conditions." 

FT: EU resists bid to weaken emissions rules as leaders spar over energy costs 

ETS defenders resisted Italian-led campaign to weaken flagship climate policy amid arguments over high energy prices at European Council summit.

Eurelectric: Keeping investment moving: European businesses in support of the EU ETS 

In a joint letter to the European Council, 25 organisations urge policymakers to protect the long-term investment signal provided by the Emissions Trading System.

World Bank: Who is at high risk from climate hazards? A new map to explore exposure and vulnerability 

More than half of the world's population are likely to face at least one major flood, drought, heatwave, or cyclone within their lifetime.

Merics: Germany and China in the cleantech sector - Between opportunities, competition and location policy 

Germany and EU partners should develop and strengthen binding common targets for investment conditions and rules for cleantech.

European Commission: EU projects in Italy - making buildings more sustainable 

In Italy, there were over 2.4 million families in energy poverty in 2024. Making buildings more efficient can help address the wider challenges linked to energy consumption and costs.

The Guardian: Cost of balancing Great Britain’s power grid reaches nearly £50m a day 

Grid operator paying large sums to switch off windfarms in areas of excess electricity generation while turning on gas plants elsewhere.