EU climate policy • Table.Briefings

Wopke Hoekstra , EU Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

April 22nd, 2026

Climate Commissioner Hoekstra: “The only way forward is comprehensive electrification”

Climate action, competitiveness, and independence must go hand in hand, EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra warns in an interview.

By Lukas Knigge

Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

Interview | Petersberg Climate Dialogue

April 22nd, 2026

Wopke Hoekstra: “The only way forward is full-scale electrification”

Climate protection, competitiveness, and independence must go hand in hand, EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra urges in an interview. Ahead of COP31 in November, he calls on other countries to take on more responsibility.

By Lukas Knigge

November 17, 2025, Belem, Brazil, Brazil: LARS AAGAARD of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU and WOPKE HOEKSTRA of the European Commission speak during a press conference at COP30 following High Level debates on the first day of the second week of the conference. The briefing addressed priorities on adaptation, climate finance for vulnerable countries and the long term decarbonisation agenda. Belem Brazil - ZUMAo116 20251117_znp_o116_012 Copyright: xBiancaxOterox

News | EU foreign policy

April 22nd, 2026

Climate diplomacy: European Union member states push for closer coordination

Following a somewhat disappointing COP30 for the EU, member states now intend to adopt a longer-term strategic approach. In doing so, they also plan to leverage their influence in foreign and development policy.

By Lukas Knigge

EU-Klimakommissar Wopke Hoekstra im Gespräch mit Bundesumweltminister Carsten Schneider.

News | Emissions trading

April 20th, 2026

German government: Emissions trading is “not a short-term policy tool”

The European Commission wants to use the EU Emissions Trading System to bring down energy prices. But a non-paper shows the German government is skeptical that the ETS is the right tool and prefers to rely on proven measures instead.

By Lukas Knigge

News | European Court of Auditors

April 15th, 2026

EU decarbonization fund: Effectiveness questioned by European Court of Auditors

The European Court of Auditors doubts that the planned temporary decarbonization fund will provide the hoped-for incentives for investment in climate-friendly production.

By Lukas Knigge

Opinion | EU climate policy

April 14th, 2026

Europe’s Energy Crisis: Honest Debates Instead of Half-Measures for the Economy

The energy crisis is exposing the diversity of energy strategies within the EU. Instead of honest debates about structural problems, political concessions that offer no sustainable solution are dominating the discourse, writes the head of the think tank Strategic Perspectives.

By Linda Kalcher

Opinion | EU climate policy

April 10th, 2026

Europe’s energy crisis: Honest debates instead of half-hearted measures for the economy

The energy crisis is laying bare the wide divergence in energy strategies across the European Union. Instead of fostering an honest debate about structural problems, the discussion is increasingly shaped by political concessions that offer no lasting solution, writes the director of the think tank Strategic Perspectives.

By Linda Kalcher

Feature | Automotive

March 26th, 2026

EVs: How Chinese automakers are benefiting from the tipping point in the EU market

For the first time, EV prices in Europe are falling, while the share of new registrations has climbed to 19%. Chinese manufacturers are using the trend to gain market share.

By Christian Domke Seidel

News | Emissions trading

March 26th, 2026

ETS 2: Delay apparently breaks EU law

A legal analysis reveals that postponing the launch of ETS-2 until 2028 breaks EU law. This could also affect the legality of future EU legislation.

By Lukas Knigge

Container terminal and coal fired power plant at Rotterdam harbour

Feature | CO₂ compensation

March 26th, 2026

Emissions trading: The Commission faces a tough reform

Last week, the member states tasked the European Commission with revising ETS 1. However, it must proceed with caution so as not to undermine the system’s very foundations.

By Lukas Knigge and Alex Veit