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21. The Sunshine Problem: Climate Change and Managed Decline in the European Union

Author:
Timur Ergen and Luuk Schmitz
Publication Date:
12-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Max Planck Sciences Po Center on Coping with Instability in Market Societies (MaxPo)
Abstract:
Decarbonization requires the winding down of – economically – fully viable, if not highly prosperous, lines of economic activity. Different from past episodes of industrial restructuring revolving around the managed decline of sunset industries, accelerating climate change requires reallocation away from economic activities where the metaphorical sun is still shining. Firms, owners, workers, regions, and polities structurally rely on these sources of prosperity and have interwoven their past and future lives with them. We argue that this problem has created a space for state actors to experiment with vertical industrial policies to manage the reallocation of resources from polluting to non-polluting activities. We illustrate this dynamic by investigating the least-likely case of the European Union, a polity heavily tilted towards market governance. European climate policymakers, we argue, have incrementally moved away from the primacy of regulatory, market-making tools and have introduced a plethora of vertical instruments to shift resources away from climate-harming fields. This experimentation with vertical policies unfolds against the backdrop of a thirtyyear institutional legacy of single market-oriented policy in the energy field.
Topic:
Climate Change, Industrial Policy, European Union, Social Cohesion, and Green Transition
Political Geography:
Europe

22. Biomass governance in Europe: what is required?

Author:
Claire Tutenuit
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:
Biomass refers to all organic matter that can be used as a source of energy - in other words, just about everything. The term includes products from forests and agriculture, and even from the sea (algae). They can be used either directly (wood energy, waste incineration) or after methanisation of the organic matter (biogas) or further chemical transformation (biofuels). They can also be used for composting. Of course, most organic matter also has other uses, with energy use traditionally considered to be the lowest priority, as it draws the least benefit from the physical and chemical properties of organic matter. The hierarchy of uses for wood, for example, is as follows: the trunks are devoted to noble uses such as construction and furniture; the branches are used as industrial wood for plywood, packaging or paper and cardboard; what remains (the waste from felled trees) is allocated to energy purposes unless it is left in place to form forest soils. However, heating plants are now being supplied with industrial wood. The same applies to the hierarchy of uses for agricultural products: food or materials (fibres) are the priority uses and the best valued, followed by return to the soil (straw, green manure, manure, etc.) and finally methanisation or incineration, generally of waste alone. However, plants that used to be grown for food (maize or peas) are now beginning to be methanised. The ecological transition is turning these hierarchies on their head, as several sectors dependent on large quantities of fossil fuels have no alternative or feed to use biomass to reduce their emissions. Biomass is therefore once again of interest to European countries, as illustrated by the case of district heating networks in Sweden.
Topic:
Climate Change, Governance, Energy, Green Transition, and Biomass
Political Geography:
Europe

23. Europe's locally elected representatives, key players in the ecological transition

Author:
Ferréol Delmas
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Robert Schuman Foundation (RSF)
Abstract:
Firstly to understand how, through the European prism, it is possible to combine ecological transition and the empowerment of local elected representatives based on subsidiarity, it would be useful to reflect on the foundations of European integration. According to this approach, a central authority can only take on tasks if they cannot be carried out at a lower level. It is a fundamental principle of European law that could, in ecological terms, become the spearhead of a better environmental understanding by European citizens and a tool for our leaders. In practical terms, subsidiarity is a philosophical principle based on Aristotle's view that society is made up of interlocking groups, each of which performs specific tasks and provides for its own needs. As Chantal Delsol, a member of the Académie des sciences morales et politiques, puts it, “according to Aristotle, each group works to meet the unfulfilled requirements of the sphere immediately below it in importance". This vision is perpetuated in the Christian heritage with the vision of Saint Thomas Aquinas, for whom the life of the City must be organised on the basis of subsidiarity. In the same vein, the construction of Europe by Christian democrats such as Robert Schuman, founding father and President of the European Parliament from 1958 to 1960, can be understood in terms of this rule. In the European Union, the principle of subsidiarity is cardinal, as specified in Article 5-3 TEU.
Topic:
Climate Change, Elections, Energy, and Green Transition
Political Geography:
Europe

24. The Sunshine Problem: Climate Change and Managed Decline in the European Union

Author:
Timur Ergen and Luuk Schmitz
Publication Date:
06-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies
Abstract:
Decarbonization requires the winding down of – economically – fully viable, if not highly prosperous, lines of economic activity. Different from past episodes of industrial restructuring revolving around the managed decline of sunset industries, accelerating climate change requires reallocation away from economic activities where the metaphorical sun is still shining. Firms, owners, workers, regions, and polities structurally rely on these sources of prosperity and have interwoven their past and future lives with them. We argue that this problem has created a space for state actors to experiment with vertical industrial policies to manage the reallocation of resources from polluting to non-polluting activities. We illustrate this dynamic by investigating the least-likely case of the European Union, a polity heavily tilted towards market governance. European climate policymakers, we argue, have incrementally moved away from the primacy of regulatory, market-making tools and have introduced a plethora of vertical instruments to shift resources away from climate-harming fields. This experimentation with vertical policies unfolds against the backdrop of a thirty-year institutional legacy of single market-oriented policy in the energy field.
Topic:
Climate Change, Industrial Policy, European Union, Decarbonization, Green Transition, and Cohesion
Political Geography:
Europe

25. Governing in Hard Times Conference: The Climate Emergency and the Green Transition

Author:
Karl Pike, James Meadway, Holly Rowden, and Ryan Jude
Publication Date:
06-2023
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London
Abstract:
In light of the IPCC's recent warning that the 1.5 degree target for global warming will be breached by 2028, this panel explored how a centre-left government would tackle the ongoing Climate Emergency. The panellists considered how it might minimise the political and economic blowback to the disruptions of the Green Transition, recent changes to the Labour Party's Green Prosperity Pledge to spend £28bn a year on the transition, and the role that the private sector should - or be encouraged - to play. Chair: Dr Karl Pike (Deputy Director of the Mile End Institute) Panel: Dr James Meadway (Former Director of the Progressive Economy Forum) Holly Rowden (Policy Advisor at Green Alliance UK) Councillor Ryan Jude (Programme Director for the Green Finance Institute and Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Biodiversity at the City of Westminster Council)
Topic:
Climate Change, Government, Domestic Politics, and Green Transition
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

26. Migration Drivers in Carbon-intensive Regions in the EU

Author:
Stefan Jestl and Roman Römisch
Publication Date:
11-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW)
Abstract:
The paper analyses drivers of migration in carbon-intensive and non-carbon-intensive regions in the EU. Using a mix of econometric methods, such as spatial panel and spatial cross-sectional methods, as well as geographically weighted regressions on data for EU NUTS-2 and NUTS-3 regions, the results indicate that particularly carbon-intensive regions in Central and Eastern Europe are not only challenged by a potential decline in carbon-intensive employment but also by outward migration flows that could diminish their prospects for longer-term economic prosperity. From a policy point of view, the results indicate that policies focusing on the replacement of the lost jobs in carbon-intensive industries might not be enough for the carbon-intensive regions in Central and Eastern Europe. Instead, these regions need a simultaneous package of additional policies to improve their attractiveness.
Topic:
Migration, European Union, Carbon Emissions, Green Transition, Regional Development, and Regional Migration
Political Geography:
Europe

27. Unlocking Global Gateway towards the Green Transition

Author:
Marie Dejonghe
Publication Date:
07-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
Abstract:
In December 2021, the president of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen unveiled Global Gateway. With an investment package of 300 billion euros, compromising both public and private funds, the Global Gateway seeks to accelerate the green and digital infrastructure development. By adopting this multifaceted approach, Global Gateway strives to transcend traditional dependency dynamics and encourage equal partnerships. At the core of the Global Gateway’s initiatives lies a strong commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Recognizing the pressing need for sustainable development, the strategy aims to integrate these global frameworks into every facet of its initiatives. However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of the project and the partnerships it aims to establish. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether the Global Gateway and its proposed collaborations will be fit for purpose as the project is facing lingering issues that may counter its objectives.
Topic:
Climate Change, Infrastructure, Green Transition, and Sustainable Development
Political Geography:
Europe

28. A Driver of Green Transition or a Colonial Tailing Dump: Political Discourse on the Jadar Project

Author:
Luka Šterić
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP)
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to analyse the political debate surrounding the Jadar Project. It will present the development of the debate, the key actors, and the dominant discourses that formulated it. The first section of the study is dedicated to understanding the wider context and importance of the project, both in Serbia and globally. In the second, we will present the three stages of the development of the discourse on the Jadar Project so far. We will then go into a detailed analysis of the actors and narratives that have guided the political debate. Finally, in the last section, we will look at the consequences of the debate on the political arena in Serbia, as well as the possible future of the discourse on this project and environmental topics in general.
Topic:
Development, Environment, and Green Transition
Political Geography:
Europe and Serbia

29. The Green Transformation of Europe: challenges, opportunities, and the way forward

Author:
Phoebe Koundouri, Konstantinos Dellis, and Angelos Plataniotis
Publication Date:
12-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)
Abstract:
This paper delves into the multifaceted impacts of climate change on Europe. It examines the immediate risks, including infrastructure damage and health crises, and explores the broader socio-economic consequences. The paper highlights Europe’s strategic responses, such as the European Green Deal, and its efforts at pioneering innovative, sustainable solutions. Key initiatives like the Net-Zero Cities program and the role of Public-Private Partnerships are discussed, and the need for holistic, cross-sector collaboration emphasized. The paper also addresses the financial mechanisms and regulatory frameworks crucial for supporting the green transition. Ultimately, the paper underscores the EU’s commitment to a sustainable, resilient future, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. The summer of 2023 marked record-high temperatures, illustrating the urgent challenge posed by climate change. Climate change poses immediate risks including infrastructure damage and health crises, but also presents opportunities for green technology and sustainable economic growth. The European Green Deal sets ambitious emissions reduction targets, employing strategies like REPOWER-EU to enhance energy security and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Greece is making strides in renewable energy and climate laws, but challenges remain, particularly in phasing out lignite and fossil fuel reliance. Massive investment increases are needed to meet climate commitments, with the EU deploying financial instruments like the European Green Deal Investment Plan and Horizon Europe. The EU has adopted a holistic approach with initiatives like European Missions and Net-Zero Cities focusing on collaborative, cross-sector efforts to achieve sustainable development. The UN SDSN Global Climate Hub offers scientific, human-centric solutions for a climate-neutral future, emphasizing collaboration and sustainable pathways. The EU demonstrates a strong commitment to a holistic, sustainable future, balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.
Topic:
Climate Change, Infrastructure, Public-Private Partnership, Green Transition, and Net Zero
Political Geography:
Europe

30. Against the flow: Europe’s role in kickstarting Algeria’s green transition

Author:
Andrew Farrand
Publication Date:
10-2022
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
Abstract:
Russia’s war on Ukraine has reshaped European energy markets and lent new urgency to the EU’s decarbonisation plans, altering the incentives of the bloc’s energy partners. Surging demand for Algeria’s oil and gas exports has temporarily undercut pressure for domestic reform, including in the energy sector. But growing local energy consumption and European plans to reduce fossil fuel imports in favour of renewables threaten Algeria’s rentier system. The country’s leaders have taken only minimal steps to build renewable energy capacity and remain fixated on raising hydrocarbon investment. While Algeria has little spare capacity to increase its hydrocarbon exports in the short term, it holds far more promise for Europe as a long-term partner in renewable energy. Europe’s ambitious climate goals, deep pockets, and technical expertise make it well placed to help Algeria kick-start a robust energy transition – if the country chooses to go along. At a high-level energy dialogue this month, EU and Algerian officials will convene for the first of many discussions to reshape the future of their energy partnership.
Topic:
Climate Change, Oil, European Union, Gas, Exports, and Green Transition
Political Geography:
Europe and Algeria