Future of gas
Can Germany’s hydrogen strategy deliver on its green premises?
The German government has found the right premises for its hydrogen strategy by recognising that only green hydrogen supply, made from renewable energies, is sustainable, writes Felix Heilmann. But there are also shortcomings, he says.
Nord Stream 2: New decisions and clear consequences
On 15 May, the German regulator rejected an application from the gas import pipeline Nord Stream 2 for a derogation from new EU rules. Kim Talus looks at the ongoing judicial proceedings and the consequences of the decision.
Why the European Green Deal needs strong methane regulations
Oil and gas companies throughout the supply chain need to do much more to bring down methane emissions immediately. And they can, writes Maarten Wetselaar.
Sustainable green hydrogen requires binding criteria
The absence of legally binding requirements for green hydrogen could lead to adverse effects, for example, rising CO2 emissions if partly fossil-based electricity is used in synthetic fuel production, write Corinna Klessmann, Jonas Schröder and Felix von Blücher.
Unilateral sanctions targeting Russia come at cost to transatlantic relationship
US sanctions designed to undermine Russian natural gas exports to Europe specifically target European-based companies at the risk of further weakening an already fragile US-European relationship, write Martin Jirušek and Robert Dillon.
Renewable gases bring European jobs that cannot be outsourced
Deployment of renewable gases will bring the local job opportunities the new Commission is striving for in the European Green Deal, write Wouter Terlouw and Thibaud Lemercier.
EU’s climate credibility rests on tackling methane emissions from gas
EU methane legislation is not just a nice-to-have. Europe cannot meet its 2030 and 2050 targets, nor ensure the success of the Paris Agreement without it, writes Poppy Kelesi.
EU-wide innovation support is key to electrolysis in Europe
The German government should support the establishment of an EU-wide framework for green hydrogen to keep electrolysis manufacturing competitive, write Matthias Deutsch and Andreas Graf. Matthias Deutsch is a senior associate at Agora Energiewende, a German think tank and policy...Special ReportPromoted content
No future for gas without greening as soon as possible
In the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, gas as an energy vector has the capacity to play a decisive role. To do this, it is absolutely necessary to green our gas as much as possible, writes Jean-François Carenco.
A Green Deal for Europe will fail unless it confronts natural gas
The European Commission's upcoming Green Deal should put an economy-wide target for net-zero emissions by 2050 into law, as well as provide a clear decarbonisation trajectory for the gas sector in line with the Paris Agreement, write Jonathan Gaventa and Lisa Fischer.
Turkmenistan should promote the Trans-Caspian Pipeline more actively
Iran and Russia are opposing the implementation of the Trans-Caspian project, which is supported by Azerbaijan and is in the EU’s interest, writes Shahnar Hajiev.
US-Russia rivalry in the Middle East is now spilling over into the Mediterranean Sea
Most oil and gas experts agree that the East Med Pipeline Project is a pipe dream that cannot compete with cheap Russian gas. But America’s enthusiastic support for it is more about a re-alignment of alliances, and securing energy supply, writes Nour Samaha.
Is Ukraine really committed to EU-style gas reform?
Ukraine has promised to reform its gas sector. But do the government, or the national gas company, really mean it, questions Danila Bochkarev.
The Visegrad 4 and Russian pipelines: An imaginary unity
The Nord Stream II pipeline gave birth to a seemingly united front among several Central and Eastern European states objecting to the project, including Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. That, however, is far from the truth, writes Martin Jirušek.
Natural gas: Part of the problem or the solution?
When the G20 Energy Ministers meet in Japan, they will stick to the old mantra that gas is a bridge fuel and is needed for the energy transition. This is not good news for the climate, writes Luca Bergamaschi.
Exploring the limits of EU’s unbelievable behaviour on Nord Stream 2
In April, the Russian-owned Nord Stream 2 company initiated legal proceedings agains the EU under the Energy Charter Treaty. If an amicable solution cannot be found, the case will set an important precedent for EU energy policy, write Kim Talus and Leigh Hancher.
Methane: Europe’s chronic climate blind spot
Europe has long led the global charge against greenhouse gas pollution. But it has been chronically reluctant to address the climate impact of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, writes Poppy Kalesi.
Local and geopolitics intrude in Israel’s attempt to supply Europe with gas
Israel is moving quickly with the help of the US in a bid to transform Europe’s energy market. But geopolitics – and a large dose of local activism – could change the economic calculation for the EastMed pipeline, writes Joseph Dana.
A CCS wake-up call
Reaching net-zero emissions means not only decarbonising the electricity system but the whole energy system. And Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) will be necessary to achieve that, writes Guloren Turan.
Banking on the energy transformation
In the last five years, the European Investment Bank (EIB) provided over €50 billion in clean energy investments in Europe and around the world. As a new cycle opens, Andrew McDowell explains the key principles that will underpin the EIB’s future lending policy.
Time for EU bank to comply with EU’s climate objectives
As the European Investment Bank (EIB) holds a meeting in Brussels today (25 February) to consult the public on its new energy policy, Wendel Trio reflects on the role the EU’s bank should have in tackling the climate crisis.
Ukraine’s elections highlight deep divides over natural gas
The direction of Ukraine’s energy policies is of great interest to observers in Brussels and the European capitals, as a stable and prosperous Ukraine would increase overall European energy security, writes Robert Rapier.
Trilateral gas talks: A realistic approach towards ship-or-pay is needed
Despite new projects such as Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream, the transit of gas via Ukraine will continue, and the modalities need to be agreed, writes Danila Bochkarev.