In the past few weeks, the treatment of waste has been receiving increasing attention in the media further to the proposal of the Mayor of Rome to build a large waste-to-energy plant to treat some of the capital’s refuse.
Before assessing the Italian situation, we should recall that the treatment of waste, and in particular its conversion into energy, is not happening in a legislative vacuum but it is strictly regulated by European Union laws.
The war in Ukraine and the subsequent energy decoupling between Brussels and Moscow represent the greatest challenge so far vis-à-vis Europe’s green transition. Not only has the conflict highlighted how fossil fuels are still essential to power EU industries and day-to-day life, but the scramble for alternative sources has also diverted valuable resources from investment in renewables, forcing the Union to draft contingency plans.
Environmental consequences have never been the top priority during wars. Crucially, however, a war’s impact on the environment can significantly increase the number of people affected by hostilities. On February 24th, Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, after having already occupied Crimea and the Donbas region in 2014.
Most of the developed world reacted to Russian government’s military operations in Ukraine with a prompt economic counteroffensive.
Foreign producers who have heavily invested in Russia over the past two decades – betting on Russia’s political stability, size, and access to the post-Soviet market - now face a hard choice: how to do business without losing face. Many are considering to go-in-between jurisdictions (Armenia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, etc.) to continue trading with Russia to circumvent sanctions.
A "side effect" of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine is that Finland and Sweden may soon join NATO. What seemed an unthinkable prospect just a few months ago now looks increasingly concrete. In Finland, by 2019, over half of the population opposed joining NATO. Now, 62% are in favor (with an additional 11% since the start of the war), with the Finnish parliament potentially deciding to join as early as mid-June.
The MED This Week newsletter provides expert analysis and informed comments on the MENA region's most significant issues and trends. Today we turn the spotlight on the challenges the United States is facing to shore up ties with unsatisfied allies in the Middle East and North Africa and tackle today's energy crisis.
La guerra in Ucraina complica la già difficile transizione energetica. Ora più che mai serve un mix di incentivi e politiche pubbliche per investimenti e ricerca.
Climate change necessitates a swift transition to clean energy and completely rethinking how we live, manufacture, produce and consume. In Europe commitments to do so are even time-bound under the EU Climate Law – 55% emissions reductions across the EU by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. Naturally, this will cost a lot of money and then some more to ensure that the transition is done in a fair and equitable manner.
Political polarization and the structure of American democracy are key impediments to decarbonization policies in the United States.
La guerra in Ucraina rafforza la spinta cinese verso la transizione energetica. Interessata anche la Belt and Road Initiative. E qui si punta sul gas di Mosca.
The war between Russia and Ukraine is triggering a global energy crisis that might push the “green” transition off track. However, tackling climate change was a tough challenge even prior to the conflict. In fact, achieving a successful energy transition not only requires financial resources, but also political and social consensus, as well as policies to mitigate negative short-term effects.
