North-South tensions are exacerbated at a time of unprecedented turmoil for both Europeans and Africans. European polycrises (geopolitical, energy-related and economic) echo the systematic vulnerability of Africans, which is reinforced by external shocks.

European energy policy

The European energy policy research axis whithin Ifri's Center for Energy & Climate examines the major policy regulatory issues of the European internal and external energy policies, with a focus on the integration of energy markets and the deployment of low-carbon technologies.
Director of Ifri’s Center for Energy & Climate
...Research Fellow, Center for Energy & Climate
...Senior Advisor, Center for Energy & Climate
Associate Research Fellow, Center for Energy & Climate
...Associate Research Fellow, Center for Energy & Climate
...Finance is arguably the most sensitive climate negotiation topic. Different studies have shown that rich countries emit the majority of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while the climate footprint of the poorest countries is much more limited.
Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the brutal decoupling from Russian fossil fuels, is a game changer for the Central and Eastern Europe region which was still heavily dependent on Russia for its energy supply.
India is at the helm of the G20 presidency since the 1st of December 2022 for the duration of a year, with energy transition and climate finance being key topics on its agenda. In this context, the Gateway House put in place a G20 Energy Task Force to which Ifri’s Research...
“Deutschland – Einstieg in die Deindustrialisierung?” – “Germany, the beginning of deindustrialisation?” asked the German economic newspaper Handelsblatt in the context of the spike in energy prices that has put at risk thousands of companies across Germany in 2022. Whereas...
Strengthening the Dynamics of Renewable Electricity in Europe Briefings de l'Ifri, November 22, 2022
We have made considerable progress in twelve years and the new European Union targets change the scale of renewables, facilitating the electrification of uses. Renewable energies must be pushed to the maximum regardless the future of nuclear power generation.
The European Green Deal (EGD) is the single most defining policy initiative of the von der Leyen Commission. Since its publication in December 2019, it has become the European Union’s (EU) new raison d’être: protecting the planet and Europeans from environmental...
For decades, the large Groningen gas field has been a central pillar of the Dutch welfare state. The availability of gas was so self-evident that many generations still identify with the slogan “Nederland gasland” (“The Netherlands, a gas country”). The nearing end of Dutch gas now...
Only eight years are left to expand by almost three times the current total installed wind and solar energy capacity in the European Union (EU) in adding around 600 gigawatts (GW), and so reach the highly-ambitious 2030 targets. This requires a mobilization whose scale is immense – amidst...
The climate and geopolitical crises call for speeding up the implementation of the European Green Deal around two main pillars: reducing energy consumption and investing in low-carbon alternatives. The swift and massive deployment of renewable energies (REN) is a major industrial challenge for...
The future of EU industrial policy: will it be “Made in Europe”? Webinaire
The United States of America has deployed the powerful tool of the Inflation Reduction Act to stimulate decarbonization investments, support all low carbon technologies and prioritize homemade technological leadership.
Post crises hydrogen plans in EU Member States and building blocks for a Portugal-Spain-France-Germany H2 corridor Conférence
Germany’s transition to climate neutrality will require large volumes of low carbon hydrogen and byproducts (H2). A large part will have to be imported, and German companies plan to play a key role across significant portions of the value chains with the backing of the government.
Protection of Biodiversity – Perspectives after COP15 Webinar
At COP15 on Biodiversity in Montreal last month, a historical deal was reached, which includes the goal of protecting 30% of the world’s land and water ecosystems, mobilizing USD 200 billion, and moving away from environmentally harmful investments.
The EU’s Power System by 2030: Navigating the Crisis and Keeping the Decarbonization Cap Ifri Seminars
The combination of the climate crisis and Russia’s war in Ukraine makes the case for a much faster transition to a fully decarbonized power system.
REPowerEU: How to Deliver on the Hydrogen Accelerator? Ifri Green Deal Virtual Lunch Series
The first REPowerEU proposals aimed at reducing Russian gas demand, boosting resilience and decarbonization, call for a hydrogen accelerator with 10 Mt of additional hydrogen imports by 2030 and 5 Mt of additional domestic production, compared to 10 Mt of domestic production planned in the Fit...
Europe’s energy system facing multiple shocks: market adjustments and policy responses Ifri Green Deal Virtual Lunch Series
Russia’s war with Ukraine has multiple spillover effects on Europe’s energy systems which face multiple threats adding up to systemic weaknesses and challenges.
Europe’s Gas Squeeze: Back to Normal in 2022? Ifri Green Deal Virtual Lunch Series
While Russia and the United States have enjoyed record high export prices for their gas and competitive supplies at home, Europe, alongside other importers, has suffered from record gas bills and physical supply restrictions.
Germany's Energy and Climate Policies after the Parliamentary Elections
Germany's September Parliamentary elections opened the way for coalition negotiations that may last until December. Yet first hints at directions and red lines in energy and climate policy can be identified as the country must prepare for an accelerated decarbonisation.
Climate, Trade and Industrial Policy: What Strategy for the European Union? Les Jeudis de l'Ifri
A "Les Jeudis de l'Ifri" videoconférence around Carole MATHIEU, Head of EU Policies, Center for Energy & Climate.
Building up a Green Alliance between Japan and Europe: Opportunities and Challenges
The EU-Japan Green Alliance has been adopted during the 27th EU-Japan Summit in May 2021.
Argument that reactors are expensive "does not hold any more", conference hears. Nuclear plants will be needed for the future stability of Europe’s grid, Marc-Antoine Eyl-Mazzega said.
The recent energy crisis has highlighted our economies' dependence on energy resources. With fossil fuels becoming less available, and a necessary transition to more decarbonised alternatives, could tomorrow's energy not become more expensive and less certain in...
Despite some shouting and hiccups here and there, the European Green Deal has become the common framework for any discussion on energy and climate in Europe.
The European Green Deal (EGD) is the single most defining policy initiative of the Von der Leyen Commission. Since its publication in December 2019, it has become the European Union’s (EU) new raison d’être.
Some of Europe’s poorest countries and communities would be hardest hit by disruptions of Russian energy supplies. With a difficult winter ahead, Europe’s ability to redistribute costs equitably and to shield the most vulnerable will determine whether it can preserve social cohesion and the...
Replay from Ifri's conference at the European Parliament in Brussels (October 11, 2022). The combination of the climate crisis and Russia’s war in Ukraine makes the case for a much faster transition to a fully decarbonized power system.
Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), makes 5 key recommendations for the future of French energy & climate policies to foster energy security and achieve climate objectives:
Following the 18 May Franco-German initiative and ahead of next week's critical presentation (27 May) by the European Commission of the European recovery plan aligned with the carbon neutrality objective, Marc-Antoine Eyl-Mazzega, Director of Ifri's Center for Energy &...
The price of CO2 credits on Europe’s emissions trading scheme needs to rise to around €50 per tonne in order to drive the long-term development of Europe’s biomethane industry, says Marc-Antoine Eyl-Mazzega, a French researcher.
The prospects for biogas in Europe look bright, with conservative estimates pointing to a tenfold increase in production by 2030. However, the industry will need to stay rooted in the local economy and come clean on environmental credentials if it wants to avoid a green backlash, analysts say....