EU energy ministers agreed their negotiating position on reforms to Trans-European Networks for Energy Regulation after a long debate on whether to support upgrading gas infrastructure to carry ‘blends’ of fossil and low-carbon gases.

EU environment ministers have called to roll out nature-based solutions to adapt to climate change in conclusions adopted on Thursday endorsing the European Commission’s Adaptation Strategy.

The European Parliament has overwhelmingly backed an EU Biodiversity Strategy calling for nearly a third of Europe’s land and sea to be designated as protected areas, and for the strictest protection for all Europe’s few remaining old-growth forests.

Local renewable energy cooperatives fear they could be excluded from government support or even lose out to fossil fuel companies under draft reforms to EU state aid rules, and their concerns have been echoed by the green energy sector more broadly.