Energy and climate policy
Explore our work on European climate and energy policy and the economic policies required to drive the transition to a more sustainable growth model.
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. Adequately responding to it requires a profound transformation in the way we produce and consume energy, as well as a wider reorganization of our economic model. Bruegel scholars contribute to this difficult but fascinating task by providing timely analysis on the European climate policy developments, as well as on the evolution of global climate governance. All of this with a special attention to the macroeconomic and geopolitical implications of the European and global decarbonisation process.
Energy is at the core of the climate challenge, and at the same time it represents a fundamental driver of global geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics. Bruegel scholars work on all the three elements of the energy policy triangle (sustainability, security, and competitiveness), with a view that keeping it in balance alongside the decarbonisation journey represents a key challenge for policymakers in Europe and beyond. This task got even more difficult in 2022, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine ignited a major energy crisis that has pushed Europe to rapidly re-design its energy map. Bruegel contributes to this difficult endeavour by providing policy insights, as well as reliable data on energy flows and policies to better inform policy choices.
Energy
European natural gas imports
This dataset aggregates daily data on European natural gas import flows and storage levels.
Decarbonising for competitiveness: four ways to reduce European energy prices
Energy prices are higher in the European Union than in most other industrialised economies, presenting a fundamental competitiveness challenge
An investment strategy to keep the European Green Deal on track
In this Policy Brief, we assess the investment needed to achieve the 2030 climate goal and climate neutrality by 2050
Counting sunshine: solar energy data and public policy
How better information can fuel the green transition
Making buildings greener: EU decarbonisation plans
How can the EU bridge the investment gap for energy renovations to meet climate targets?
European clean tech tracker
This tracker provides an overview of the main innovation, manufacturing and deployment trends in clean tech in Europe
European natural gas demand tracker
Upcoming events
Clean Industrial Deal: a conversation with EVP Teresa Ribera
How will the Clean Industrial Deal support EU industries?
The future of electricity demand
How can Europe increase electricity demand to drive decarbonisation and economic growth?
Publications
Finance for nature: how to improve funding for the protection of biodiversity
This policy brief summarises the options and outlines the main considerations in finding better ways to value nature
Northvolt’s struggles: a cautionary tale for the EU Clean Industrial Deal
In designing a new industrial policy, the European Commission should reflect on the troubles of the Swedish battery maker
Financing European Union's buildings' decarbonisation strategy
How to fill the remaining gaps in pricing the emissions of the EU’s energy-intensive industries
Free carbon allowances for EU industrial companies are being phased out, but inconsistencies remain
Sulla transizione energetica bisogna seguire Draghi
What can central banks do to take the Paris Agreement seriously?
Central banks should take a macro approach to managing system-wide risks stemming from the climate transition
First glances
The precarious promise of the Paris Agreement’s Article 6
Agreement on a global carbon trading framework could complete the global climate architecture, but the risks are significant
Trump’s comeback and its implications for EU climate and energy policy
Trump’s return should not be seen as a threat to EU decarbonisation, but as a rallying cry to unite and push forward more strongly
Clean and fair: maximising the impact of the European Union’s Social Climate Fund
The new European Commission should make more of the Social Climate Fund as a major tool to ensure the green transition is also a fair one
Making the most of the new EU Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships
With the right governance, proposed EU Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships could boost clean industrialisation domestically and globally
Draghi’s pitch to improve the competitiveness of energy-intensive industry
The Draghi report calls for policies to cut energy costs, but would also favour energy-intensive industry without clear justification
Draghi’s industrial masterplan has decarbonisation at its core
The report represents a solid basis for the development of an EU Clean Industrial Deal
Energy
Explore Bruegel's work on the energy transition.
Read morePodcasts
Nature on the balance sheet: a financial perspective
How can businesses, governments and financial institutions work together to tackle the global biodiversity crisis?
Closing the loop: the case for a circular EU economy
Why moving to a circular economy is essential in the fight against climate change
Europe’s green global reach
How should the EU’s global green agenda evolve to balance decarbonisation, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy?
How hydrogen can reach its green potential
Hydrogen has the potential to be a renewable energy source under the right conditions