Energy & climate
On target, off track: Europe’s failure to protect the climate
29 November 2013
Europe likes to see itself as a leader in attempts to control climate change. But it is not. The EU's own greenhouse gas emissions are falling. However, that is due to de-industrialisation and the fact that so many of the goods Europeans consume are now manufactured in China or India.
Europe should regulate to promote carbon capture and storage
30 October 2013
The EU should give grants to coal and gas carbon capture and storage demonstration projects, and regulate to require coal plants to use this technology.
How to build a modern European Union
10 October 2013
The CER proposes reforming the EU’s policies and institutions, to foster a more dynamic European economy and to make decision-making more accountable.
Can shale gas transform Europe's energy landscape?
10 July 2013
Shale gas could slow the increase in Europe's dependence on imported gas. But it will not be the game changer it has been in the US.
Commission should move to structural reform of the ETS
09 May 2013
The EU should set an ETS price floor, to attract investment to low-carbon options. The Commission should propose this without further delay.
EU energy: Decarbonisation and economic competitiveness
07 May 2013
House of Lords
Energy is central to climate change mitigation. Over three quarters of the EU-27’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the production and use of energy. Energy is also central to the economy, fuelling industry and providing substantial employment.
Saving emissions trading from irrelevance
02 May 2013
TGAE report
Uncontrolled climate change is the greatest risk that humanity faces. The main burden will fall on developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Why Europe should change its approach to Azerbaijan
25 March 2013
The EU has relied on oil and gas from Azerbaijan to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies since the beginning of the century.
Issue 89 - 2013
25 March 2013
- It's the politics, stupid!, Simon Tilford
- Central and East European migrants are a boon for Britain, John Springford
- Why Europe should change its approach to Azerbaijan, Rem Korteweg
The EU and energy security
15 March 2013
The EU’s target for 20 per cent reduction in energy demand is non-binding but it does provide incentives for member-states to increase energy efficiency and so lower their overall demand for energy.
The EU and climate change policy
15 March 2013
The EU carries more weight in UNFCCC negotiations than the UK would acting alone.
Annual report 2012
08 February 2013
Charles Grant analyses Britain's difficult relationship with the EU and looks back on what the CER did in 2012.
Time to stop the EIB's carbon subsidies
20 December 2012
The European Investment Bank (EIB) lends half its annual energy pot to efficiency and renewables. But it is still lending to coal. This is inconsistent with climate policies.
How to expand renewable energy after 2020
07 December 2012
The EU should set targets for renewable energy for 2030 and the end of each subsequent decade, to reach full reliance on renewables by 2060.
How to confront the carbon crunch
15 November 2012
To protect the global climate and European industry, the EU needs a stronger Emissions Trading System and border tax adjustments - as Dieter Helm proposes.
Connecting Europe's energy systems
01 October 2012
Europe’s energy infrastructure urgently needs to be modernised, to maximise renewable energy use. The Commission’s proposals on infrastructure should be adopted as soon as possible.
Saving emissions trading from irrelevance
29 June 2012
The Emissions Trading System must be overhauled. The cap should be lowered, and combined with a price floor and ceiling and border tax adjustments.
How to create a single European electricity market - and subsidise renewables
26 April 2012
Renewable energy needs subsidy. But different national subsidy schemes threaten energy integration. Schemes should be harmonised, even if the amount of subsidy continues to differ.
Energy efficiency: Made in Denmark, exportable to the rest of the EU?
11 April 2012
Denmark has Europe's most energy efficient economy. Copenhagen should stand firm behind the Commission's proposals on energy efficiency, which would save billions of euros.
The Commission's energy roadmap is a missed opportunity
22 December 2011
Instead of modelling scenarios in its 2050 energy roadmap, the Commission should have identified priorities for 2012 action: energy efficiency, ETS and a 2030 renewables target.