iGDP Blog
Our regular blog explores the latest developments in decarbonization in the US and EU.
Britain's Decarbonized Future?
- by Yefren Nye
December 2022
The dust has settled, the fighters have returned to their camps and an uneasy peace now lays over the field. After a summer and autumn of furious and vain political bloodletting which toppled two Prime Ministers in quick succession, Britain is now in the hands of Rishi Sunak and his relatively technocratic administration. Sunak represents an ideological bent which is popular with the parliamentarians of the Conservative Party, the treasury, and the financial markets, but which is seen much more ambivalently by the Tory grassroots and much of the public in the country as a whole.
The Russia Ukraine War and Nickel Market Supply Shocks - More Thorns on the Green Path - by Ella Xiao
September 2022
The Russia-Ukraine war has now lasted for about four months. The conflict has irreversibly altered the development of many global industries and sectors. The energy market is a huge area of concern—-Russia is a major player in global energy markets and is rich in crude oil and natural gas (making up 45% of Russia’s federal revenue).[1] Optimists suggest that a supply shock in oil and gas caused by economic sanctions might lead to a faster decarbonization in the west, as countries face a shortage of oil with drastic increase in prices.
But this is not how the story ends.
Spanish Trains and the Future of European Transport
August 2022
In today’s post we will take a brief look at European transport policy as part of a low carbon system through the lens of a recent decision by the Spanish government which made headlines across Europe.
In July, the Spanish government grabbed attention in European news by announcing that it would be making all rail journeys free from September onwards. Although the measure is not restricted by nationality or residency, it appears to be aimed primarily at short distance commuters, with incentives to buy rail passes and take trips over short distances. This has been classified as a means of getting people to switch to less fossil fuel intensive transportation during the energy crisis which is currently shaking the continent.
Poland, Coal, And The Uncertain Road To Decarbonization
August 2022
As the second largest carbon emitter in the EU, Poland’s role in the EU’s plan for decarbonization by 2050 is a critical one, and one which receives relatively little coverage compared to the big economies of Europe like Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Much like China, Poland is a traditionally coal burning economy which relied on this abundant power source in order to power its smaller economy and bring it into line with Western Europe.
During the period of the Warsaw Pact, Poland’s coal production grew year on year, peaking in 1979 and remaining high through the 1980’s with the vast majority being for domestic consumption. Polish coal production plummeted after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but it is still responsible for around 70% of Poland’s electricity generation, and indeed in 2020 Poland overtook Germany to become the biggest coal generator in the EU.
The German Gas Crisis And The Future Of The Energieweinde
August 2022
Much noise has been made in recent weeks about the impending German energy crisis, with much furor over announcements that some apartment complexes will have to cut heating to 17 degrees (Celsius) and an increase in the likelihood of a German recession. The crisis has moved previously taboo ideas like a reversal of German nuclear phaseout and speed limits on the famous autobahn into political consideration, and drawn a certain degree of both schadenfreude from those who see Germany as overweening and self-satisfied, as well as anger at its’ apparent ditching of climate change related targets.
For today’s blog post, we will explore some of the history behind Germany’s energy situation, going back to the Soviet period when West Germany first sought to chart a course towards stronger ties with the USSR, for this section I rely heavily on Patrick Wintour’s excellent article for the Guardian. Then we will briefly look at the fallout in Europe and explore how the situation will affect the ‘Energieweinde’, Germany’s longstanding goal to be a leader in the transition to renewable energy. Although there have been significant reports of German backsliding on climate commitments and some media have reported that Germany is abandoning its 2035 emissions targets, it is important to note that Germany has built up strong legislative momentum in the direction of emissions reductions, and will face significant headwinds if it tries to reverse course.
Électricité de France - A Discussion of European Energy Security and the Future of Nuclear Power
July 2022
For our first blog post of this new series, we will explore recent developments which have important ramifications for the future of France. As both the second largest economy in the EU, and the second largest producer of nuclear power in the world, the direction of the French electricity sector will have influence on the future of nuclear power beyond its own borders.
French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne confirmed last week that the French government will renationalize EdF (Électricité de France), after its nearly two-decade experiment in partial private ownership which began in 2005. The company is already 84% owned by the French state, but this decision will see the remaining 16% of shares bought out, with a total budget for the operation standing at 12.7 billion.
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