UK offshore wind is critical to decarbonise the power sector and reduce exposure to volatile gas markets. There’s still a gap between targets and capacity being delivered, but quick policy wins are available to boost the industry. 20 GW of new offshore wind needed by 2030. Boosting the auction budget by 25% would cut the UK’s gas import bill.
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A more supportive policy framework and public investment of just £2.1–3.5bn can put the UK on the path to a clean steel future that supports both the economy and people. UK steel demand is set to grow 26% by 2030. As an extremely carbon-intensive material – production making up 2.4% of the UK’s territorial emissions – it is crucial that the UK decarbonise its steel supply to mitigate the impacts of climate change. A brighter future for UK steel is possible.
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This paper “Potential Regulatory Frameworks for Cross-Border CO2 Transport between the EU and UK” by the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies outlines the history and current state development of CCS in Europe. Upon that basis, potential regulatory frameworks that can enable a competitive cross-border CO2 transport and storage network between Western Europe and the UK are explored and proposed.
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The big takeaway from the European Parliament elections: the centre has held, but a trend in far-right gains continues. This means that Europe’s fight against climate change can go on but is faced with a trickier political landscape at a time when big decisions need to be taken. A fair and green industrial / competitiveness deal still looks within reach in the negotiations for the incoming European Commission. However, EU leaders will face a major test on securing enough financing to make it a reality.
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In 2023 USD 1.6 trillion was invested in energy transition technologies. Germany invested USD 89.12 billion in clean technologies in 2023, 29% of total EU investment. Investment in renewables and battery storage could reach up to USD 5.68 trillion by 2050, representing a significant manufacturing opportunity for ready countries
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Countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have long been regarded as laggards in the EU clean energy transition. The EU’s Green Deal, and its approach of combining a lift in climate ambition with new financial and other support instruments, has however started to change this picture. A new European Commission should now build on progress made and step up its support for the energy transition in CEE countries. The CEE region is particularly critical to the success of the EU’s energy transition. This report analyses progress made in eight CEE countries.
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This briefing “Planning for onshore wind” by The House of Commons Library focuses on onshore wind planning in UK. All onshore wind turbines, except for small-scale domestic turbines, require planning permission from the local planning authority (LPA) in England. In September 2023, the government updated national planning policy to provide that LPAs should approve planning applications for an onshore wind farm.
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As Europe is decarbonising its economy, it is facing a monumental challenge to rebuild the fossil-based system into a carbon free one. Batteries and the materials that go into making them are central to the effort to clean up cars, trucks and buses as well as to expand renewable energy networks. This report “An industrial blueprint for batteries in Europe” by Transport and Environment analyses the progress, as well as challenges associated with onshoring this supply chain, providing an industrial footprint for governments to build a local, resilient and sustainable battery supply chain.
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The aim of this joint policy brief to “wire the EU for climate neutrality – a Paris Agreement Compatible (PAC) roadmap for power grids”, authored by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), is to identify the needed type of infrastructure and grid capacities necessary for a 100% renewable energy system (RES). It explores a pathway that aligns with achieving climate neutrality by 2040 across the EU27, and securing energy supply while remaining within the +1.5°C threshold.
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Global Gateway puts principled connectivity at the core of the EU’s external action, linking geoeconomic and climate diplomacy with development policies under a Team Europe approach. Selected projects are to be driven both by the needs of partner countries and the EU’s interests. The aim is to mobilise 300 billion euros in investments by 2027 by using public funds to crowd in private investments. The private sector is to play a key role in shaping the Global Gateway actions.
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A secure supply with heat and electricity became a major challenge to many households in Ukraine as Russia systematically attacks critical infrastructure. This dire situation puts an immediate increase of the country’s energy resilience to the forefront of the political agenda. Given Ukraine’s outstanding size and land area, the country has the potential not only to be self-sufficient in energy supply, but it can also become a bigger exporter of green electricity and hydrogen.
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Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union and Environmental Action Germany have convened a group of over 20 experts from academia, industry, civil society and policy-makers from EU institutions to identify the key challenges of the EU’s energy transition. The expert group met five times in 2023 to develop proposals on how to achieve a 100% renewable energy-based EU economy.
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The energy company obligation (ECO) is the government’s flagship fuel poverty alleviation programme, and one of the main pillars to improve overall energy efficiency. Changes to the scheme have led to a fall in the number of installations. Reform of the programme is needed to ensure it can play a central role in meeting the UK’s statutory target to end fuel poverty by 2030. ECO’s ability to act as a vehicle to deliver home upgrades has proved successful in the past.
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Focused and co-developed clean transition partnerships would help the EU strengthen its geopolitical position in an increasingly multipolar world. Doing so is critical to preserve Europe’s influence as an international actor, and essential to the long-term viability, security, and prosperity of the EU project. Clean transition partnerships can contribute to rebuilding trust with the Global South by making a strong case for cooperation with the EU.
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The brief “Energising Eastern Europe: How The Eu Can Enhance Energy Sovereignty Through Cooperation With Ukraine And Moldova” by the European Council on Foreign Relations concludes: Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU has made strengthening energy sovereignty – its own and that of its eastern neighbours – a strategic priority.
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This report “Transparency And Access To Data On Climate Action” published by Climate Action Network Europe is a first assessment to analyse transparency and access to national data for improving climate public awareness and monitoring climate policies (NECPs) implementation. It presents information about the experience and obstacles encountered when gathering climate and energy data relevant to assess the NECPs.
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This report “Decarbonizing Germany’s heating sector” by the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies concludes that with the Climate Protection Act Germany has stringent legislation to meet net zero by 2045, but its implementation focuses narrowly on renewables and HPs to the detriment of a balanced approach, including the use of CCS as another major avenue to decarbonization. The discussion must be widened to accept a hybrid solution, instead of betting exclusively on special solutions which foreseeably will not meet net zero by 2045.
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Reducing emissions from transport is crucial to combating climate change and achieving EU sustainability goals and climate goals. This survey ”Long-term outlook on zero-emission mobility” by Hydrogen Europe highlights Hydrogen Europe members’ expectations on key available technologies and the possible role of different zero-emission solutions, particularly on clean hydrogen solutions, in reducing emissions from the transport sector.
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The report “Escaping the Permanent Suez: Navigating the Geopolitics of European Decarbonization” by the Atlantic Council focuses on how energy and power are fundamentally related in history. It argues that Europe’s energy imports, and especially hydrocarbon addiction, has made its vulnerability worse. It assesses Europe’s geopolitical viability in this transition.
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This report “Energy in Ireland 2023 Report” prepared by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland assesses how Ireland is contributing to many of the global challenges discussed at COP28. Around 60% of Ireland’s GHG emissions are energy-related, and many of the energy trends seen in 2022 and 2023 are sobering.
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