It is encouraging that the OECD has published a Data Explainer that details the need for governments to step up policies promoting more efficient energy use. It focuses on 13 energy efficiency policies, including minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), public financing mechanisms for buildings and industry (e.g. green mortgages, vendor credits), fuel economy standards and … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 10-11, 2026
Category: energy policy
Countries unite to ditch fossil fuels — now comes the hard part
The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, held this past week, aimed to solidify a coalition of the willing and provide a political platform for countries ready for an orderly, equitable transition away from fossil fuels. As Tim Schauenberg writes on the Deutsche Welle website, the message from inaugural talks on exiting fossil … Continue reading Countries unite to ditch fossil fuels — now comes the hard part
Energy in Demand News, April 26-27, 2026
“The vase is broken, the damage is done – it will be very difficult to put the pieces back together. This will have permanent consequences for the global energy markets for years to come.” Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency expressed his concerns about the current state of the world in an … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 26-27, 2026
Reaction to European Commission’s AccelerateEU plan to increase EU energy independence
To address rising energy costs and further reduce dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets, due to the escalating Middle East conflict, the Commission presented a comprehensive plan of actions and measures on 22 April 2026. An overview of the plan is available here. Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni and Belgium's PM Bart De Wever among those … Continue reading Reaction to European Commission’s AccelerateEU plan to increase EU energy independence
DR Congo’s energy transition challenges
Nik Stoop, Senior researcher, University of Antwerp; Elie Lunanga, Researcher, University of Antwerp; Marijke Verpoorten, Associate Professor, University of Antwerp; and Sébastien Desbureaux, Chercheur, Université de Montpellier write on The Conversation website about a private DRC project to bring electricity to one of the world’s most fragile regions. Mini‑grids can supply electricity, but what … Continue reading DR Congo’s energy transition challenges
From nega-watts to neglect: the changing direction of U.S. energy policy
In an article on The Hill website, Dan Reicher, former assistant secretary of energy in the Clinton administration and energy adviser under President Obama provides his views on what Trump is doing to undermine all the gains in energy efficiency policies over the past 50 years. Trump is trying to undo 50 years of … Continue reading From nega-watts to neglect: the changing direction of U.S. energy policy
Energy in Demand News, April 12-13, 2026
EU insurance, pensions and financial regulators have called for the creation of a €10bn to €65bn pool to close the insurance gap for disaster, the Financial Times reports. “As risks continue to grow, insurance coverage for natural catastrophes remains insufficient, leaving individuals, businesses and governments increasingly exposed to financial losses, undermining resilience and recovery efforts,”said … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 12-13, 2026
Europe escaped Russian gas — but not energy price shocks
Marzia Sesini, Research Team Leader - Molecules&Materials, European University Institute, and James Kneebone, Doctoral Researcher (D-MTEC), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich write on The Conversation website about Europe’s vulnerability in the gas market. It shows the difficulty maneuvring in the energy transition. It also reflects the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels as … Continue reading Europe escaped Russian gas — but not energy price shocks
New E3G briefing on key opportunities and political choices for the next phase of decarbonisation in the EU
On the E3G website, Pepe Escrig, Leah Nyamey and Manon Dufour give an excellent briefing to prepare for the next phase of decarbonisation in the EU. Making the EU’s climate and energy policy fit for the 2030s Europe is entering a new phase of its climate transition. The upcoming review of the EU’s climate and energy … Continue reading New E3G briefing on key opportunities and political choices for the next phase of decarbonisation in the EU
Energy in Demand News, April 5-6, 2026
Following an emergency meeting of the EU energy ministers this week, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said at a press conference that domestic clean energy, electrification, modernised interconnections and improved energy efficiency “are the only way forward”. Let’s not lose sight of that. More energy independence is the goal but the past 20 years do not … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 5-6, 2026
