Energy

Reviewing the Co-Benefits of Energy Efficiency in an Irish Context

This paper provides an analysis of the range of direct and indirect co-benefits of energy efficiency upgrades in the residential and non-residential building sectors, with a particular focus on the Irish context.

Europe’s Long Winter:  Escaping the Energy Crisis

This paper makes recommendations that policymakers should consider to enhance the resilience of the EU’s energy sector.

Food for Thought Ireland and the UN Food Systems Summit

The UN Food Systems Summit will take place on Thursday, 23 September 2021 and this will be a critical moment for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Ireland goes into the Summit with leadership ambitions as it seeks to champion its ‘food systems approach’.

Course Correction: China is going Carbon Neutral

This paper considers China’s ambitions to hit peak greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060, arguing that such a significant shift would make a profound contribution to the effort to keep global temperatures well below 2oC and would play an enormous part in possibly achieving the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Greening the European Investment Bank

This briefing examines the European Investment Bank’s recent activities in support of climate action and considers its capacity to finance the green transition in the EU.

One Step Forward, One Step Back Again: Assessing the Consequences of Three Decades’ Climate Gridlock in the US

This IIEA report reviews three decades of US Federal climate “gridlock” and estimates the damage caused to the global economy from “unnecessary” greenhouse gas emissions.

Ireland’s Energy and Climate Plan: Consolidation, Cohesion, Consultation

It has been well-documented that Ireland is unlikely to meet its 2020 climate and energy targets. To meet the country’s 2030 targets, an ambitious, but realistic, climate and energy roadmap is needed now.

Brexit and Electricity Cooperation between Northern Ireland and Ireland

This paper is the second in the IIEA’s series of reports on the sectoral implications of Brexit.

Power Transfer 2030

A New Wave of European Climate and Energy Policy: Towards a 2030 Framework

Against a complex, challenging, and often contradictory background, the EU is currently trying to decide what kind of climate and energy regime it wants and needs in the post-2020 period. Should it replicate the formula of the 2008 Climate and Energy Package to 2030 and beyond? Or are there other pathways that may prove more effective or politically palatable? The European Commission has recently published a consultation paper on a 2030 climate and energy framework and enormous efforts are being expended in Brussels and across the Member States as stakeholders work to shape to terms of the debate. This policy brief attempts to provide an understanding of the current debates and to illuminate the key challenges in designing a new wave of European climate policy. It first sets out the current EU energy and climate framework and discusses progress made to date, before going on to outline a range of key challenges in the design of a 2030 framework. This is the fourth in a series of Environment Nexus policy briefs by experts in the field of climate, energy, agriculture and water.

Shifting the Climate Finance Paradigm: Nine Key Challenges for Developed Countries

This policy brief explores the policy context defining the current climate finance debate; examines the extent to which commitments have been met; and identifies nine key challenges for developed countries as they enter the new climate finance paradigm, drawing on the lessons of the fast start finance period.

From Farm to Fork

Jobs, Growth and Reduced Energy Costs: Greenprint for a National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme

Decarbonising Ireland’s Gas Network

Reflections from COP28 in the United Arab Emirates

Energy Technology and the Clean Energy Transition

The Royal Society Report on Large-Scale Energy Storage

Professor Chris Llewellyn will discuss the Royal Society Report on Large-Scale Energy Storage.

The European Commission as a Global Energy Player

The European Commission as a global energy player

Energy Security in Central Europe: A Conversation with Ambassador-at-Large Václav Bartuška

A presentation by Václav Bartuška, Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechia.

Fighting Climate Change with Dialogue

A Webinar presentation by Katherine Hayhoe on Fighting Climate Change with Dialogue

The Architecture of the New Decarbonised Energy System

In the third installment of the REthink Energy series, Laura Sandys, CBE, will discuss the architecture of the modern energy system.

Getting Past Fire: Moving Fast to a Post-Combustion Planet

Renowned author, environmentalist, and founder of the climate campaign organisations Third Act and 350.org, Bill McKibben, shares his thoughts on how to end large-scale combustion on our planet.

Electricity in Ireland: Transition and the energy crisis

Energy transition outlook: a focus on Global and European trends’ – a presentation by DNV

Accelerate: The Transition to a Net Zero Future

The Geopolitics of Energy in Europe

Tim Gould assesses the geopolitics of energy in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Future of the European Hydrogen Economy

In this session, three international experts explore the potential of green hydrogen in the EU’s transition to a carbon-neutral future.

International Reflections on the Outcome of COP 26

The Geopolitics of the Energy Transition: How Will the Pursuit of Net-Zero Change International Politics?

Professor Meghan O’Sullivan will discuss how the transition away from fossil fuels will remake the geopolitical landscape.

The World Energy Council’s Vision to Humanise the Global Energy Transition

Dr Wilkinson will outline the World Energy Council’s vision to reconnect people with the planet and to meet the global imperative of a net-zero energy future.

A Secure, Stable and Clean Electricity Future: Perspectives from Europe and the USA

Thomas R. Kuhn and Pat O’Doherty will assess the role of secure and clean electricity in the net-zero energy future.

The Value of Energy: A New Framework for the Transition to Net Zero

Three expert speakers assess the implications of a new framework to accelerate economic growth and facilitate a clean energy transition.

WEBINAR: The Future of Flying: Zero-Emission Aviation

Mr Llewellyn will highlight the factors needed to lay the groundwork for a climate-neutral commercial aircraft.

WEBINAR: Offshore Wind: The Future of Irish Energy?

Integrating Renewables Across the EU

The 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework agreed by the European Council in 2014 set a target of 27% of energy to come from renewables by 2030.

The Weak Pulse of 1.5°C: Assessing the Outcome of COP26 

COP26: A Pivotal Moment for the Planet

This paper analyses COP26 and examines the four primary objectives of the summit. It also looks at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international climate negotiations and argues that a more equitable global vaccine rollout may strengthen the prospect of an agreement at COP26.

The Paris Climate Agreement versus the Trump Effect: Countervailing Forces for Decarbonisation

In this publication, IIEA Senior Fellow Joseph Curtin argues that the “Trump Effect” has created a powerful countervailing force acting against the momentum which the Paris Agreement on climate change hoped to generate.

A Political Ecosystem Divided: Europe’s Nature Restoration Law

Getting Past Fire: Moving Fast to a Post-Combustion Planet

Curtailment: The overlooked challenge to meeting Ireland’s renewable energy targets

Cutting the Cord: Eliminating Europe’s Energy Dependence on Russia

CBAM: An EU Foreign Climate Policy

Designing for Zero Waste

The Geopolitical Implications of the Energy Transition

Funding a Climate-Neutral Future: Sustainable Finance and the European Green Deal

Humanising the Global Energy Transition

The EU’s Environmental Agenda: Governing our Shared Environment

Shared Objectives: A Clean Electricity Future for Europe and the U.S.

REthink Energy: The Future of Flying: Net-Zero Aviation

Resilience and the Circular Economy

Environmental Resilience and the Future of Water

REthink Energy: Offshore Wind: The Future of Irish Energy?

REthink Energy: The Ripple Effect: The Impacts of Brexit and COVID-19 on the Energy Sector

REthink Energy: Building Popular Support for the Energy Transition: The Battle For Hearts And Minds

Rethink Energy: The Green Deal and the Future of Climate Policy

 Germany: Steering the Winds of Change

A Climate-Neutral Europe: A Race that We Can Win?

Will “Political Procrastination” Undermine Irish Climate Leadership?