In brief | 24 August ‘26
Reuters: Six countries want EU talks in September on taxing windfall profits of oil companies
Countries want the EU to discuss a mechanism to tax windfall profits of oil companies triggered by Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters: Germany's Uniper signs 15-year gas import deal with Norway's Equinor
Germany's Uniper has signed a deal to import more than 30 terawatt hours of gas a year from Equinor from 2027, the companies said.
Reuters: Norway will drill in Arctic regardless of EU's position, says energy minister
Norway will continue developing its oil and gas resources in the Barents Sea regardless of the European Union's support for a moratorium on Arctic hydrocarbon supplies, and no longer sees itself as Europe's "green battery," energy minister Terje Aasland told Reuters.
Le Monde: Despite summer of extremes, France's political leaders offer no climate response
Neither the government nor the candidates in the 2027 presidential election have yet directly addressed the challenge posed by climate change.
Politico: The Danube is drying up. Europe still has no plan
Experts and green groups hope the Danube drought will be a wake-up call for EU policymakers.
Euronews: Thousands rally in Stockholm over climate crisis weeks ahead of general election
More than 10,000 people marched in Stockholm in a protest against human-made climate change, weeks ahead of a 13 September general election where the issue is top among Swedish voters' concerns.
The Guardian: Iran-linked hackers blamed for cyber-attack that shut down UK power plant
Incident marks apparent escalation by Tehran in its in retaliation against UK over allowing US to use British bases.
S&P Global: Germany will respond if gas supply security deteriorates: ministry
Preparing ‘targeted’ action if needed, no winter gas shortage expected, though storage fill lags.
FT: Data centres drive Ireland to reopen nuclear power debate
Unlike France and the UK, nuclear power has never been an option in Ireland.
pv magazine: Austria announces energy storage offensive, shifting solar subsidy focus
Austria plans to overhaul its solar subsidy framework from 2027, shifting support from standard PV systems toward battery storage, energy management systems and specialized solar applications.
The Wall Street Journal: Europe chastised Trump’s climate rollback. Now it’s delaying its own green goals
Developed nations are increasingly balking at the cost of measures to cut down on fossil fuels.
WEC: Why electrification is Europe’s most strategic investment
A new report outlines how transitioning means electricity could comprise 55 percent of final energy demand by 2050.
WMO: From heat warnings to action: preparing Europe for future extreme heat
As Europe reflects on another summer of extreme heat, updated WHO guidance highlights the importance of coordinated action to protect people from heat-related health risks.