Between a rock and a hard place: energy and carbon in the new political cycle
At first glance, the EU’s 2024-29 policy cycle may appear focused on the technical implementation of the vast amount of climate legislation agreed under the Fit for 55 package. Yet beneath these technicalities lie important strategic choices. Chief among them is how to boost economic competitiveness while safeguarding climate credibility. Plans for a Clean Industrial […]
Climate change, ageing societies and the sustainability promise
Will 2050 mark a turning point in human history when the human population has reached its peak and innovation has allowed us to put fossil fuels and mining in the past? Technology optimists make the case that high-performance products can be made by recycling scrap metal. Will the drive towards climate neutrality ensure prosperity for […]
A tale of two prices
A steep rise in energy prices is currently making news headlines across Europe, with the costs of natural gas and electricity being keenly felt by consumers and industry. Moving away from the news cycle though, the underlying forces at work behind these increases are complex and nuanced. They are also intertwined with the various EU […]
Framing the Circular Economy as an EU recovery opportunity
Recovery from the Covid-19 crisis presents an important and unique opportunity for the EU to accelerate its transition towards a climate-neutral and circular economy. While there is little dispute about the opportunities offered by the funds available for the low-carbon and circular economy, the longer-term impact on Europe’s decarbonisation trajectory will depend on the choices […]