Gridlock: Why Europe’s electricity infrastructure is holding back the green transition
Europe urgently needs to expand and modernise its outdated electricity grid if the European Union is to achieve its renewable energy goals
Climate change
A nuclear energy truce: Why EU states should stop bickering and build renewables
Passions on either side of the decades-long nuclear debate could slow the EU’s efforts to decarbonise its energy mix. Member states should respect one another’s positions and focus on building renewables as quickly as possible
Multilateral climate: How Europeans can cure planet Earth’s blues
The EU still needs traditional multilateral forums to fight climate change. But it also needs to strengthen its efforts to build coalitions and form alliances with key states – especially in the global south
Own coal: Why Europe could lose its green transition
European leaders’ need to sanction Russia is pushing them to develop alternative sources of fuel. They should not lose sight of the role that clean energy could play in this.
Three key areas of Europe’s climate diplomacy
The EU’s efforts to address climate change should place more emphasis on bilateral alliances and partnerships. But these efforts will only be credible if they are firmly rooted in domestic policies.
Scotland’s Arctic dream of independence
The Scottish government is developing a foreign policy, and its Arctic vision is one of its most ambitious efforts yet. Should independence come, close friends in the north could be a vital support.
Why COP26 will fail
UN Climate Change Conferences have failed to produce a model of global governance that can tame power politics, let alone forge a sense of shared destiny among countries. And there is little reason to believe this time will be different.
Flash in the pan: Flooding in Germany and the politics of climate
Recent environmental disasters could sway the result of this month’s election – but no party has yet seized the moment
Italy’s next bid for victory: The EU and green geopolitics
Italy should use its G20 presidency and COP26 co-presidency to help the EU become a major player in green geopolitics and a mediator between competing great powers
Bulgaria’s abstention from the fight against climate change
Bulgaria’s abstention on the European Climate Law not only isolates the country within the EU once again but also reveals two familiar shortfalls in Bulgarian diplomacy
Publications
Rome’s moment: Draghi, multilateralism, and Italy’s new strategy
Italy has an opportunity to position itself closer to the Franco-German engine and to help construct a multilateral system in which the EU and the US are equal partners
Europe’s green moment: How to meet the climate challenge
Member states are not divided into two diametrically opposed camps. This makes the implementation of the European Green Deal an intricate puzzle – yet achievable.
Articles
Gridlock: Why Europe’s electricity infrastructure is holding back the green transition
Europe urgently needs to expand and modernise its outdated electricity grid if the European Union is to achieve its renewable energy goals
A nuclear energy truce: Why EU states should stop bickering and build renewables
Passions on either side of the decades-long nuclear debate could slow the EU’s efforts to decarbonise its energy mix. Member states should respect one another’s positions and focus on building renewables as quickly as possible
Multilateral climate: How Europeans can cure planet Earth’s blues
The EU still needs traditional multilateral forums to fight climate change. But it also needs to strengthen its efforts to build coalitions and form alliances with key states – especially in the global south
Own coal: Why Europe could lose its green transition
European leaders’ need to sanction Russia is pushing them to develop alternative sources of fuel. They should not lose sight of the role that clean energy could play in this.
Three key areas of Europe’s climate diplomacy
The EU’s efforts to address climate change should place more emphasis on bilateral alliances and partnerships. But these efforts will only be credible if they are firmly rooted in domestic policies.
Scotland’s Arctic dream of independence
The Scottish government is developing a foreign policy, and its Arctic vision is one of its most ambitious efforts yet. Should independence come, close friends in the north could be a vital support.
Why COP26 will fail
UN Climate Change Conferences have failed to produce a model of global governance that can tame power politics, let alone forge a sense of shared destiny among countries. And there is little reason to believe this time will be different.
Flash in the pan: Flooding in Germany and the politics of climate
Recent environmental disasters could sway the result of this month’s election – but no party has yet seized the moment
Italy’s next bid for victory: The EU and green geopolitics
Italy should use its G20 presidency and COP26 co-presidency to help the EU become a major player in green geopolitics and a mediator between competing great powers
Bulgaria’s abstention from the fight against climate change
Bulgaria’s abstention on the European Climate Law not only isolates the country within the EU once again but also reveals two familiar shortfalls in Bulgarian diplomacy
Podcasts
Climate and geopolitics: What role for the EU?
Mark Leonard is joined by Kate Hampton to discuss climate and development cooperation in competition
Europe Listens: Advancing green tech partnerships with Dhanasree Jayaram
Beyond the UN formats, countries around the world are forging hundreds of bilateral and multilateral agreements to advance the clean energy transition. India has emerged…
Europe Listens: Overhauling climate finance with Avinash Persaud
Action on climate financing is long overdue. Inadequate mitigation and adaptation have already led to substantial loss and damage in the most vulnerable countries. But…
Winter is coming: Europe’s energy transition and the war in Ukraine
Can Europe remain true to its climate agenda despite Russia’s war in Ukraine?
COP26 and Europe’s green grand bargain
Is the EU in a position to deliver a green grand bargain, or is its role as peripheral now as it was at COP15?
New Energies: The European Green Deal and the EU-Turkey relationship
How will the European Green Deal affect the EU’s relationship with Turkey?
The global impact of the European Green Deal
What are the geopolitical repercussions of the European Green Deal?
Events
14 Dec
Joining forces with the Indo-Pacific: Kick-starting Europe’s new approach to the region
Over the course of the day, we will discuss how Europe and Asia can redefine the Indo-Pacific in terms compatible with their mutual interests. The 3 sessions will look specifically at trade, connectivity, and the Green Transition.
18 Nov
After COP26 – How Europe can turn words into action
How can the EU and its member states take on this role and enact change to advance climate ambitions in a practical way?
13 Oct
From Milan towards Glasgow: for a Green Geopolitical Europe?
How can the EU and its member states seize the opportunity for a cohesive policy on green issues?
1 Jul
Carbon border adjustment design: Opportunities for international cooperation
This Policy Dialogue will consider international reactions to the competing policy designs for CBAM, opportunities for cooperation with international partners and the role of international fora in its development such as the WTO and the forthcoming COP26
21 Apr
Europe’s green moment: How to meet the climate challenge
How can decision-makers mobilise creative coalitions and integrate the European Green Deal into EU foreign policy to deliver on the deal?
19 Nov
Diplomacy can deliver: Europe in the fight against climate change
The European Council on Foreign Relations welcomes the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in his virtual address to Europe, speaking about the continent’s role in the international fight against climate change
29 Sep
ECFR x Intelligence² Germany – Debate: The European Green Deal is not fit for purpose
The European Commission has called the Green Deal, Europe’s “man on the moon” moment. But the stark reality is that it is impossible to solve the bio…
In the media
I know there are concerns in other European capitals about whether Sweden will stay a climate leader. I wouldn’t say it will totally destroy this reputation but it will fuel concerns
If the world is to make genuine progress on climate change, the engagement of both the oil and gas industry and the Gulf region is essential
Ana Palacio explains what it takes to make COP28 a success
If we are to stay below 1.5 degrees in temperature rise, China, India and the United States must reduce their emissions much more than they do today.
Dan Jørgensen advocates for more climate action from larger countries
The investment effort required by climate action, whether for France or for the EU, is roughly equivalent to 2% of annual GDP
Jean Pisany-Ferry assesses the cost for France and the EU to meet their climate commitments