Environment - Cleantech

Welcome to the home of environment – cleantech on Law-Now.

On this page, you will find all the articles and publications for environment – cleantech. You can also access CMS’ report on the impact of cleantech on key sectors in Europe by clicking here.

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Recent Articles

  •  
    13/03/2024
    International

    After EU Commission's first decision on Carbon Contracts for Difference, Germany initiates bidding of EUR 4bn

    The European Commission approved the first Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) scheme under the new Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022 (CEEAG).Following the Commission's decision, on 12 March 2024 the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) initiated the first bidding process with a total volume of EUR 4bn. With this funding scheme, Germany is taking a pioneering role in Europe and internationally in the field of state aid for climate protection. Concept of contracts for differenceA contract for difference entitles...
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  •  
    31/01/2024
    Poland

    Poland’s changes to waste management system in line with EU directives

    The recent past has been full of legislative changes regarding waste management, driven by the implementation of environmental and climate protection legislative packages, including the introduction of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. Each of the legislative proposals implements different EU objectives and requirements. In the following article, we take a closer look at the most important regulations changing the waste management system in Poland, which directly concern extended producer responsibility (EPR), single-use plastic packaging (SUP) and the deposit system.SUPThe first of the proposed...
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  •  
    17/07/2023
    Poland

    Poland amends Planning and Land Development Act bringing crucial changes to investment and construction

    On 7 July 2023, the Polish parliament adopted an amendment to the Planning and Land Development Act. The act has been sent for the President’s signature and will be promulgated in the Journal of Laws with the changes taking effect within 30 days of promulgation and the most significant changes coming into force on 1 January 2026.Below we discuss the current legal status and essential changes introduced by the amendments.What is the situation now?Currently, the majority of investments can be conducted on the basis of zoning decisions or the local development plan. In practice, a local development...
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  •  
    25/05/2023
    Poland

    Poland drafts bill to encourage investment in biogas and biomethane projects

    The Polish government has adopted a bill amending the Renewable Energy Sources Act that is expected to facilitate the development of biogas and biomethane projects. This draft legislation, which was sent to the lower chamber of the Polish Parliament (Sejm) for legislative work on 8 May, represents another initiative (further to the draft Biogas Act described at CMS Law-Now a few weeks ago) aimed at boosting the biogas and biomethane market in Poland. The key changes to be introduced are presented below.Definition of biomethane The bill introduces a definition of biomethane, meaning “gas derived...
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  •  
    28/11/2022
    United Kingdom

    CMS Electric Vehicle Round-up Q3 2022

    We are pleased to share the CMS Electric Vehicle Round-up for Q3 2022 – an at-a-glance round-up of the key developments in the UK EV space this past quarter. In this issue, we cover some of the following key updates: BEAMA and Energy UK’s “The Future of Smart Charging Report”; the impact of rising prices and increased charging costs on UK EV sales; and the UK Government’s consultations on Demand Side Response interoperable standards and new technologies in the Capacity Market. You can download a PDF version of the CMS Electric Vehicle Round-up Q3 2022 above. For...
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  •  
    17/11/2022
    United Kingdom

    Increase and extension of Energy Profits Levy

    The UK government has today announced a 10% increase in the energy profits levy applying to profits from UK oil and gas activities, taking it from 25% to 35%. The end date for the levy has also been extended from December 2025 to March 2028. The energy profits levy was announced in May this year with immediate effect and legislated for in the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Act 2022 in July. The further increase in rate announced today will take effect from 1 January 2023, with the relevant legislation being included in the Finance Bill 2023. Calculation of the levy The energy profits levy applies...
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