In brief | 16 September '26

Reuters: German minister plans market incentives to boost gas storage, source says

Economy minister Katherina Reiche plans to use market incentives to encourage traders to keep more ‌gas available this winter, while avoiding direct state gas purchases, amid concerns over supply, a government source told Reuters. Handelsblatt reported that state-owned SEFE confirmed that it is purchasing gas to store it, thereby increasing security of supply in Germany. However, SEFE said that it took an independent commercial decision, expecting that filling the storage facilities and the subsequent sale of the gas will yield “a positive return”.

Politico: Von der Leyen tries to stem tide on global threats ― from Trump to AI and climate

Ursula von der Leyen used her State of the Union speech to rally against a world that's making Europe less powerful and poorer, where AI is threatening centuries of certainty and in which climate change risks destroying it.

Reuters: EU opens door for Canada to become its first associate member, von der Leyen says

The announcement is a significant shift in EU policy, and European Commission president mentions cooperation "on energy, critical minerals and batteries".

Bloomberg: Germany leads late push to avoid EU carbon market glut

Germany is seeking to reduce the risk of a glut of permits in the European Union carbon market and scale down supply-control concessions the bloc’s executive offered to allay industry concerns over excessive price swings.

Politico: Give us resources, not praise, say European firefighters after hellish summer

Emergency services plead with Brussels and national governments for more staff, better equipment and investment in fire prevention.

Bloomberg: EU touts climate insurance pact to ease catastrophe losses

The European Union will set up a “climate insurance alliance” to help pay for losses as global warming increases the frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and wildfires.

Reuters: EU lawmakers move to scrap carbon border levy's emergency brake

European Union lawmakers voted to scrap a ‌clause that would let the EU suspend its carbon border levy if it makes imported goods more expensive, setting up a clash with member countries who are in favour of the emergency brake.

Euronews: How can Europe decarbonise without sacrificing economic development? New study offers roadmap

Researchers from the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC Foundation), Politecnico di Milano and Technische Universität Berlin say that Europe could cut industrial emissions dramatically without hollowing out its manufacturing base.

Euronews: From tiny houses to skis: This Swedish company is finding creative uses for retired wind turbines

What happens to decommissioned wind turbines and blades? Some are finding new life as buildings.

Reuters: How Trump’s war on EVs derailed America’s auto-factory revival

Since Trump returned to office, an array of automotive, environmental, trade and immigration policies has undermined auto-factory projects and employment across America’s heartland.

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