UK marines seize oil tanker, causing diplomatic row with Iran
British special forces seized a supertanker off Gibraltar carrying Iranian oil to Syria in violation of European and U.S. sanctions against the war-torn country.
EU
Royal Marines seize Syria-bound oil tanker in Gibraltar
An oil tanker thought to be carrying Iranian oil to Syria has been detained by Royal Marines in Gibraltar.
Doubts over visa scheme for EU nationals in UK
Fears have been raised over the ability of the Home Office to process Brexit visa applications from EU nationals.
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe blasts EU over ‘stupid’ taxes
Ineos founder and Brexit-backer Sir Jim Ratcliffe has slammed the EU over expensive regulations and "stupid" green taxes he claims are choking Europe's chemicals industry.
EU unveils plan to cut emissions to zero in bid to save planet
The European Union unveiled its long-term vision on combating climate change in a push for more ambitious action on the environment just days after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected his government’s warning on the economic costs of global warming.
Aberdeen faces ‘bleak future’ post-Brexit, new figures show
Aberdeen faces a “bleak future” after Brexit after new figures showed that nearly £65 million in EU funding has been given to city council projects over the last decade, it was claimed yesterday.
EU energy contracts ‘may be compromised’ in case of ‘no deal’ Brexit
A new plan put forth by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has warned that some energy contacts with EU countries "may be compromised" in the case of 'no deal' with Brussels over Brexit.
EU urges businesses to keep trading with Iran
The European Union is encouraging enterprises to increase their business with Iran, as that country has been compliant with its nuclear-related commitments.
UK, EU to block US sanctions on Iran
The UK and EU partners will move to block Donald Trump's sanctions on Iran in order to preserve peace, they have announced.
EU sets new renewable energy target
The European Commission revealed yesterday that it had set a new renewable energy target based on increased use across the continent.
Event to focus on EU cybersecurity rule for offshore infrastructure
An event is taking place in Aberdeen next week, highlighting the need for oil and gas companies to meet the requirements of a new EU law to protect critical infrastructure.
Understanding the EU clean energy package is the first step to success
The EU clean energy package will introduce major changes that could transform how the energy market operates.
£145million customs charges for offshore sector pushed back by a year
Customs charges for the offshore industry worth up to £145million which were set for to start in July have been pushed back by nearly a year.
OPINION: ECJ’s Achmea judgement leaves legal questions for Energy Charter Treaty claims
Claims against EU Member States by disappointed energy sector investors have been a major growth industry in recent years. As regular readers will know, Spain alone has faced more than 30 claims under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) by investors in its renewables sector who lost out following the government’s abrupt about-turn on generous rewards for solar generation. All these claims – some running to billions of Euros -- have been taken to international arbitration under ECT Article 26. But increasingly the European Commission has challenged the jurisdiction of arbitral tribunals in intra-EU investment disputes – that is, where an EU investor claims against an EU Member State – on the basis that these claims are incompatible with EU law.
EU could double renewables cost-effectively by 2030 says industry report
The European Union could cost-effectively double the amount of renewables in its energy mix by 2030, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Talks due on possible new powers for Scottish Government
The possibility of releasing new powers to Holyrood will be discussed in talks between the UK and Scottish Governments in Edinburgh.
EU to spend millions researching green energy in UK, Ireland
The EU is to spend almost 10 million euro (£8.9 million) on researching renewable energy in Britain and Ireland.
UK PM to brief european leaders on plans to offer certainty to EU nationals in UK
Days after the opening of formal Brexit talks, Theresa May is set to make a bid to break the logjam over the status of expat citizens following UK withdrawal from the EU.
Germany, Austria tell US not to interfere in EU energy
Germany and Austria condemned a proposed expansion of U.S. sanctions on Russia, saying the measures sought to bolster U.S. economic interests and included an unacceptable intervention in the region’s energy sector.
China and EU to reaffirm Paris commitment after US withdrawal
Chinese premier Li Keqiang and leading officials from the European Union are reaffirming their commitment to a landmark climate change agreement, a day after Donald Trump said he was pulling the US out of the Paris accord.
Carbon market industry figures predict UK to remain in EU ETS after Brexit
A survey has found that almost half of respondents think that the UK will stay in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) after Brexit.
EU and 79 African, Caribbean, Pacific countries in joint push to defend and implement global climate deal
The European Union and 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific developing countries, who together make up more than half of the signatories to the Paris Agreement on climate change, today reaffirmed their strong and steadfast commitment to full implementation of the agreement, urging all partners to keep up the momentum created in 2015.
Top nuclear boss advising May on protecting atomic industry from Brexit blow
The German head of one of the UK’s top nuclear companies is counseling Prime Minister Theresa May’s government on what needs to be done to protect a global hub for the industry from Brexit.
Incinerator could become £180million white elephant, warn European lawmakers
The European Union has warned that new rules could turn a planned £180million incinerator in the north-east into a white elephant.
Pan European group get EC backing for R&D into tidal turbine tech
A European tidal energy consortium has secured funding for the research and development of a potentially cost-cutting technology for tidal turbines.