In brief | 2 May '25

T&E: How to defuse the EU’s carbon tax time bomb

The decision to create a Europe-wide carbon price was right but creates significant political risk. The good news is it can still be fixed.

Carbon Brief: England’s approach to climate adaptation is ‘not working’ – CCC

The “vast majority” of the UK government’s plans to prepare for climate hazards have made virtually no progress over the past two years, according to the Climate Change Committee (CCC).

AP, Reuters: US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The US and Ukraine signed an agreement granting American access to Ukraine’s vast mineral resources. Reuters describes Ukraine’s critical minerals and how they are important for transition technologies like e-mobility.

Montel: Rhine’s role as Germany’s coal supply lifeline fades

Coal volumes transported along the river Rhine, from northwest European ports to German power plants, fell by 13 percent last year, and are set to decline further in 2025 as the region’s green transition continues.

Reuters: German spy agency labels far-right AfD "extremist"

Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as an extremist entity that threatens democracy, a move enabling it to better monitor the party that came second in February's federal election.