In brief | 4 April '25

NYTimes: Volkswagen to add ‘import fee’ to cars sold in US

The company’s move is one of the first and clearest examples of automakers using price increases to deal with the 25 percent tariffs President Trump imposed on car and auto parts imports.

E&E News: Trump’s tariffs expected to undermine transition to clean energy

New levies on imported goods could exacerbate a shortage of parts used by the energy industry.

Politico: EU delays 2040 climate target release until ‘before summer’

“Clearly we need a bit more time,” says Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra.

Bloomberg: EU steps back on 2040 climate goal in order to win over doubters

The European Union has gone back to the drawing board for its 2040 climate target in a bid to make sure it can secure a majority among the bloc’s 27 member states and parliament.

Reuters: EU Parliament votes to freeze sustainability rules

European Union politicians gave themselves more time to negotiate changes to exempt smaller businesses from sustainability reporting rules that European industry says put it a disadvantage.

Bloomberg: UK, EU to work toward linking carbon markets at May 19 summit

The UK and the European Union are expected to work toward linking their carbon markets at a summit next month, a move that would underline improving relations five years after Brexit.

Bloomberg: Austria plans funding help to encourage more geothermal drilling

Austria is drawing up incentives for companies to increase drilling for geothermal heat, as part of efforts to secure clean and long-term energy supplies to replace Russian gas flows.

Bruegel: Europe urgently needs a common strategy on Russian gas

An uncoordinated approach threatens EU energy security and the green transition.

Montel News: Trade, energy risks pose “existential” threat to German steel

A worsening global trade environment and high energy prices posed an “existential” threat to German steel making, the country’s steel industry association said.

Bloomberg: Goldman says German fiscal boost is game changer for power needs

Germany’s ambitious plans to ramp up defence and infrastructure spending will drive “major pivot” in power demand during the next few years, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

EIB finances ground-breaking carbon capture plant in Stockholm, Sweden

Project to capture CO2 volumes corresponding to more than the emissions of all of Stockholm's road traffic in one year.