The world’s largest emitting countries are reconsidering the role of carbon pricing instruments and increasingly looking at carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) to address leakage concerns. This renewed momentum should trigger a broader discussion on how to make trade policies compatible with the climate agenda.

The end of the Trump presidency has demonstrated both the strength of institutions and their weakness. 

The sharp rebound in oil prices since the second half of 2020, to nearly $70 per barrel in May 2021, represents only a temporary respite for oil-dependent African economies that must change their economic model very quickly.

The pandemic has revealed the fragility of the Indian economy.

The European Union’s energy infrastructure policy has become obsolete with the adoption of both the Green Deal and the 2050 climate neutrality target. The ongoing review of the regulation on Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E) should lead to an-depth discussion on Europe’s energy transition strategy.

China is now an undeniable heavyweight on the international scene, wielding a remarkable range of political strategies. Studying its position in the surrounding area of Southeast Asia in relation to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, as well as Australia, gives us an understanding of both the strength and the limits of such a diverse range of actions.

Mass vaccination against COVID-19 identifies several groups of countries: rich countries with rapid vaccination; countries that develop and produce vaccines, but do not prioritize vaccination of their own population; and poorer countries that will only achieve herd immunity by 2022 or 2023.

In the event of a major conflict, Iran could decide to close the Strait of Hormuz, which would cause a global energy crisis.