EU officials aim to make the European Union (EU) “the first climate-neutral continent” by 2050, by transforming it into a “fair and prosperous society with a modern, competitive, climate-neutral and circular economy and a toxic-free environment”, says Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. According to this regulation, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European...
The Guarantee-Return-System (SGR) constitutes a positive impact 8 months after its launch
Implemented in Romania at the end of November 2023, the Guarantee-Return-System (SGR) is a key step towards efficient collecting and recycling of beverage packaging, promoting the idea of circular economy. The number of packaging returned and recycled has steadily increased in recent months, from 31.000 in December 2023, to 2.2 million in January and 21...
Public debate on 150 million Euro state aid scheme for energy storage in Romania
The Romanian Ministry of Energy has launched into public debate a new state aid scheme of 150 million Euros financed by the EU Modernisation Fund for investments in energy storage solutions (i.e., batteries). A national call for projects will be opened and the following criteria must be respected to become eligible as a funding-beneficiary: The...
Greenwashing: EU gradually tackles global phenomenon
To stimulate equitable and sustainable sourcing accompanied by fair advertising the European Union is currently implementing EU-wide bans on: The administrative process commenced in 2022 and by January 2024 an agreement was reached which was adopted by the European Council in February 2024. EU member countries have 24 months to incorporate the legislative update into...
Renewable energy’s share on German power grids reaches 55% in 2023
The share of renewables on Germany’s power grids rose by 6.6 percentage points to 55% of the total last year, the sector’s regulator said on Wednesday, as Europe’s largest economy moves closer to its 2030 target. Germany wants green power to account for 80% of its energy mix by 2030. It has ditched nuclear power...
About 30.000 charging stations for electric cars are foreseen by mid-2026
Romania plans to enhance the national infrastructure for alternative fuels in road vehicles, which includes the installation of at least 30,000 recharging points by mid-2026, as announced EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean. The projects will be financed from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The EU, according to the transport commissioner, needs to...
The Green Cities Project – a chance for the sustainable development of Bucharest
Bucharest City Hall has launched, together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD) the Green Cities Action Plan for Bucharest (PAOV) project, as part of a wider initiative, aiming to assist the large urban centres in their transition process towards sustainable growth and reducing carbon emissions. The EBRD funding line supports cities in...
People still don’t understand the importance of collecting used batteries
Although the collecting of the batteries is free of charge, only a small category of consumers in Romania, especially amongst the young people got the habit of depositing them in the designated places. According to the European model, the polluter foots the bill. Elena Gaspar, the president of the National Battery Recycling System Association (SNRB)...
Waste batteries – valuable resource for other industries or problem for the environment
Almost all components in a battery can be recovered through recycling. On the other hand, thrown away, a used battery can explode, cause fire or pollute the environment. Elena Gaspar, president of the National Battery Recycling System Association (SNRB) explains how to capitalize a battery after it is no longer in use, while avoiding the...
Transport and Industry will increasingly rely on hydrogen
By 2030, Romania will need more than 280 thousand tonnes of hydrogen, mostly renewable, for the transport and industrial sectors, according to estimates in the draft National Hydrogen Strategy 2030, submitted for public debate by the Ministry of Energy. Part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Romania (PNRR) endorsed by the European Commission, this...
- 1
- 2