In brief | 3 November ‘25

Reuters: EU considers weakening 2040 climate goal over forest CO2 absorption, draft shows

The European Union is considering a brake clause to weaken its 2040 climate target in the future, if it becomes clear countries' forests are not absorbing enough CO2 emissions to meet the goal, a draft EU compromise proposal showed.

Euractiv: Incoming Czech government signals reversal on EU climate and migration policies

Led by Andrej Babiš, the new Czech coalition is aligning closer with Hungary and Slovakia, pledging constitutional protection for the national currency, state control of energy, and a hardline stance on asylum.

The Guardian: The Nord Stream riddle: echoes of mistrust ripple through Europe

Three years after explosion that crippled Russian-German gas link, Polish court’s refusal to extradite Ukrainian suspect reignited old tensions.

Politico: US accused of threatening EU diplomats during bid to kill green shipping rules

Negotiators at shipping talks in London were told both they and their countries could be punished unless they voted with the US.

EEA: One in five cardiovascular deaths in the EU, preventable by improving the environment

The key environmental factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease deaths are air pollution, extreme temperatures and extreme weather events, transport noise, chemical exposure to toxic substances.

The Guardian: ‘If you ignore emissions, we did great’: Germany’s challenging fight to go green

While still on track to meet net-zero commitments, climate groups say country’s toughest hurdles are yet to come.