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Energy Post

The best thinkers on energy

The man who wanted to change the world – portrait of a climate visionary

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Award-winning director Mariëtte Faber’s documentary “The man who wanted to change the world” has, in her words, come to the end of the line. After countless screenings and a decent clutch of awards, she has decided to make it available for all to see. Whilst climate visionary Peter Westerveld’s work, a key aspect of the film, was not directly related to energy, it was about reversing the momentum of dangerous climate patterns. The techniques … [Read more...]

How can gas contribute to the achievement of EU climate targets

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What role is there for gas in the European energy system over the next decades? Some believe the EU must give priority to coal-to-gas switching. Others see no role for natural gas at all in the long run and argue that EU policy must promote only “renewable” gas. An Energy Post panel debate in Brussels, sponsored by Nord Stream 2, saw conflicting views sound off against each other. Meanwhile, a new “Gas for Climate” initiative proposes a 10% … [Read more...]

Video debate: what impact will Nord Stream 2 have on European energy security?

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Is Nord Stream 2 good or bad for Europe? Is the European Commission right to try to change the EU Gas Directive apparently to halt Nord Stream 2? On 28 November Energy Post held a conference in Brussels, sponsored by Nord Stream 2, and moderated by our EU correspondent Sonja van Renssen, where Gazprom's pipeline project was debated. The video shows the highlights of the debate. … [Read more...]

Vieuws Video: EU far from meeting Paris climate goals

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Sonja van Renssen, energy and environment journalist, is joined by Tom van Ierland, Deputy and Acting Head of Unit C1. Strategy and Economic Assessment DG Climate Action, Jonathan Gaventa, Director, Third Generation Environmentalism (E3G) and EirikWærness, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Statoil to debate the question: “Did Paris deliver the low-carbon investment signal Europe needs?”.  This highlight video presents the core … [Read more...]

viEUws video: Brussels Briefing on Energy for February 2016

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In this latest Brussels Briefing on Energy, journalist Hughes Belin introduces the European Commission's "winter package" on energy security. This is the first real test of the European Energy Union. He describes two sensitive legislative proposals to give the Commission more scrutiny powers over intergovernmental agreements on energy and to improve gas security of supply through more reverse flows, a regional approach and a new solidarity … [Read more...]

viEUws VIDEO: Top 5 EU energy priorities for next 6 months

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In this special briefing, energy journalist Hughes Belin picks out the top 5 energy issues that will be discussed by the European institutions in the next six months, under the Dutch EU Presidency. 1. Gas supply: In February, the Commission is due to launch a review of the regulation on security of gas supply and of its sister regulation on security of electricity supply. The Commission will also review the EU’s information exchange mechanism … [Read more...]

viEUws VIDEO: Top 5 environment priorities for Dutch EU presidency

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Sonja van Renssen provides an overview of the Top 5 Environment priorities for the Dutch EU Presidency: 1. COP21 follow-up: The “Energy Union, climate and transport” is one of the Dutch presidency’s five strategic priorities overall. 2. Circular economy: The Netherlands hopes to agree conclusions with other Member States on a non-legislative action plan to make more efficient use of resources and to kick off debate on new legal definitions … [Read more...]

viEUws VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Energy for December 2015

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Brussels correspondent Hughes Belin reports on the EU's first ever State of the Energy Union report, with details on achievements to date and legislative proposals to come in 2016. He notes the many challenges the internal energy market still faces, notably from national capacity markets. The European Commission has fleshed out its thinking on a new governance system for energy, including obligations for Member States. EU Energy Ministers … [Read more...]

viEUws Brussels Briefing on Energy: all you need to know for October/November

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Hughes Belin gives details on what to expect in the first State of the Energy Union report due from European Commission Vice-President, Maroš Šefčovič, on 18 November. In the meantime, he reports on the official signing off of a new gas interconnector between Lithuania and Poland, and looks ahead to an EU LNG strategy due next year. A public consultation on redesigning the European electricity market has closed and legislation on the back of … [Read more...]

Vieuws Brussels Briefing on Energy: All you need to know for October

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European Vice-President, Maroš Šefčovič, is to present on the 18th of November a first-ever Communication on the State of the Energy Union. Brussels correspondent Hughes Belin also tells us that the Heating & Cooling strategy for Europe is now likely for early next year, and about the Commission’s update on the SET-plan, followed by the informal Energy Council on the 23rd of September. All the details in this month’s Energy Briefing. First … [Read more...]

Vieuws video: Brussels Briefing on Environment

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EU Environment Ministers have agreed the EU’s negotiating position for UN climate talks at COP21 in Paris in December. But COP21 is not the only event keeping the institutions busy, says environment journalist Sonja van Renssen: several reforms and reviews are expected in the coming weeks and months, among which a new circular economy package, and progress on EU ETS reform and the highly controversial NEC directive talks.  … [Read more...]

“Huge challenge to deliver enough oil and gas for 2ºC” – Statoil on Paris climate talks

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In this video for viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster - journalist Sonja van Renssen is joined by Jos Delbeke (Director General for Climate Action, European Commission), Kathleen Van Brempt MEP (Vice-president of the S&D Group) and Eirik Wærness (Chief Economist and Vice President, Statoil) to debate the question: “Road to Paris: can the EU retain its leadership role at COP21?” … [Read more...]

Top 5 EU energy priorities for rest of 2015

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In this video for viEUws – the EU Policy Broadcaster – Hughes Belin introduces the top 5 energy issues that will be discussed by the EU institutions under the Luxembourg EU Presidency (Luxembourg took over the rotating 6-month presidency in July). … [Read more...]