European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen
Letter from Brussels: National realpolitik may water down EU climate policy
The EU is staking out a clear path towards climate neutrality, pursuant to its green deal. But national implementation in the decade ahead may fall short
The European Commission appears to have broad political support for its flagship climate policy. But it may lose steam when EU member states face translating policy into concrete action, with national governments keen to protect domestic industries and consumers while the economic consequences of Covid-19 continue to resonate. In October, the Commission presented the fifth edition of its State of the Energy Union report. This year’s publication boasts of progress on EU energy market integration, with a significantly more liquid European gas market—trading volumes on EU gas hubs saw an impressive 32pc year-on-year growth in the first quarter of the year alone. And it identifies "a clear need
Also in this section
21 February 2025
While large-scale planned LNG schemes in sub-Saharan Africa have faced fresh problems, FLNG projects are stepping into that space
20 February 2025
Greater social mobility means increased global demand for refined fuels and petrochemical products, with Asia leading the way in the expansion of refining capacity
19 February 2025
The EU would do well to ease its gas storage requirements to avoid heavy purchase costs this summer, with the targets having created market distortion while giving sellers a significant advantage over buyers
18 February 2025
Deliveries to China decline by around 1m b/d from move to curb crude exports to Shandong port, putting Iran under further economic pressure
