Our Purpose in the EU
Climate options for a competitive and energy secure EU
CATF’s advocacy efforts in the European Union focus on securing the policy and technology solutions necessary to address climate change while promoting long-term energy security and economic prosperity.
With a clear understanding of the EU’s unique position in the global climate landscape, we advocate for the advancement of a diverse suite of climate solutions to help the EU reach climate neutrality by 2050.
Our approach
CATF contributes to evidence-based policymaking in different ways:
- Modelling, systems analysis, and research: CATF’s work is rooted in thorough research and analysis. Our interdisciplinary team combines technical, economic, and political expertise and leverages advanced tools and data-driven insights to develop in-depth analyses and inform policy decisions.
- Policy advocacy and recommendations: Guided by science and focused on impact, CATF’s experts design and advocate for effective climate policies. CATF engages with EU policymakers trough expert groups, consultations, and inputs along the full legislative process to support the policy solutions needed to reach climate neutrality and to contribute to the European and global conversation on overlooked climate solutions.
- Coalition building: CATF engages with NGOs, industries, and academics to build and support stakeholder coalitions.
A vision for the EU net-zero transition
The EU has shown climate leadership through the establishment of an ambitious goal for climate neutrality across the bloc by 2050. This transition started with a legally binding commitment to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030, and by adopting climate targets for key sectors of the economy.
But the region will need a wide variety of technologies and different approaches to bridge the gap between 2030 targets and 2050 goals – and must pursue climate policies that increase economic competitiveness, ensure energy security, and create jobs.
As the EU transitions toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, CATF provides specific policy recommendations for the EU institutions to design a fit-for-purpose regulatory framework to decarbonise the EU economy.
Setting robust climate targets
With the climate targets for 2030 and 2050 enshrined into EU law, the EU is now contemplating what its intermediate 2040 targets should be, to put the bloc firmly on track to climate neutrality. CATF, along with numerous other stakeholders, calls for separate targets to be set for emissions reduction, land-based sequestration, and permanent carbon removals. The targets also need to be complemented with risk-conscious, innovation-forward, options-based plans.
Europe’s National Energy and Climate Plans
The climate, energy, and industrial policies proposed and enacted over the past several years alone will not guarantee a fully decarbonised, energy secure, and economically prosperous Europe in 2050. Reaching net-zero by 2050 will require strategic, dedicated, and robust planning for the deployment of a broad suite of decarbonising technologies and infrastructure, funding for emerging technologies, workforce development, regional and international collaboration, and progress tracking and accountability
Here is how fit for purpose NECPs can help Europe bridge its planning gap.
Our areas of focus in the EU
Carbon capture and storage
With the CO2 injection capacity target in the Net Zero Industry Act and the adoption of the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy, the EU has made major leaps forward to enable carbon capture and storage development in the region. However, challenges still hinder its expansion and must be addressed by setting up a comprehensive infrastructure network, adequate funding, a viable business case, and a supportive regulatory framework.
Methane mitigation
With the EU Methane Regulation on emissions from the energy sector adopted, it’s now time to focus on implementation. The EU must be ambitious in shaping the secondary legislation, especially when it comes to addressing emissions from imported energy products. The EU must also operationalise the “You Collect, We Buy” initiative and work towards the creation of a “Global Buyers Club.”
Looking beyond energy, the EU can also cut methane emissions from waste by implementing a new waste management hierarchy, and incentivise methane emissions reductions from agriculture through the Common Agricultural Policy.
Clean hydrogen
Clean hydrogen is often touted as a silver bullet climate solution that will be crucial for decarbonising various economic sectors and countries. However, EU domestic clean hydrogen production is woefully insufficient and shows few signs of ramping up in line with the timeline and to the scale imagined. If the EU is to reach its climate goals, it needs to adopt a realistic strategy, carefully outlining where clean hydrogen will be most needed, where and how it will be produced, and how it will be moved from production to end use.
Transportation decarbonisation
Transportation emissions represent a quarter of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions and have grown since the 1990s. While legislative and other initiatives set up last term under the banner of the European Green Deal are expected to make a dent in these emissions, further push is required to decarbonise transportation by midcentury, both on EU roads as well as in global sectors like shipping and aviation.
Superhot rock geothermal energy
Superhot rock geothermal is a visionary energy generation pathway that aims to harness heat from superhot rocks beneath the earth’s surface. Currently in the pilot demonstration stage, the pathway is deserving of public support and investment as it could tap into a zero-carbon, firm, energy-dense and renewable energy source, available everywhere with minimal land use. With strategy and robust funding, superhot rock energy could provide terawatts of locally sourced zero-carbon baseload power within a few decades, importantly contributing to the EU’s climate and energy security objectives.
Advanced nuclear energy
Most EU decarbonisation scenarios point to the need to double or even triple the electrification rate at a competitive cost. Meeting this additional demand while simultaneously decarbonising the grid and maintaining reliability will be an enormous challenge. Small modular reactor (SMR) development could be a viable pathway to generate clean, firm, dispatchable energy.
While Member States have an absolute autonomy in determining their energy mix, the EU should ensure the enabling conditions and support coordination among the Member States that decide to deploy small modular reactors as part of their decarbonisation plans.
Fusion energy
Fusion is a promising potential future zero-carbon energy source that the EU can potentially leverage in boosting its energy security and reaching its climate targets. By replicating the process that powers the sun, we could unlock abundant supplies of energy for clean electricity generation and fuels production. Fusion technology has seen a number of scientific and technical breakthroughs in recent years. However, further public support is needed to stimulate more investment in the EU and develop and commercialise the technology as fast as possible. This will require a comprehensive EU strategy, stakeholder collaboration, and strong public-private partnerships.
24/7 carbon-free electricity
To meet climate goals and fulfill the needs of a growing power grid, the EU needs 24/7 carbon-free energy – meaning that every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumption would be met with carbon-free electricity sources, every hour of every day, everywhere.
Renewable energy alone will not be enough to deliver a reliable and affordable decarbonised grid. The EU needs:
- A 24/7 carbon-free energy strategy
- Commercialisation of next generation clean technologies
- Comprehensive electricity market design reform
- Improved accounting of corporate and public procurement of clean energy
Meet our experts working
in the EU
-
Sara Albares Martin
Regional Associate, Europe -
Lee Beck
Senior Director, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa -
Ioannis Binietoglou
Remote Sensing Policy Manager -
Alex Carr
Europe Policy Manager, Zero-Carbon Fuels -
Fernanda Ferreira
Director, Agriculture Methane -
Sehila Gonzalez de Vicente
Global Director, Fusion Energy -
Jenna Hill
Geoscientist and Geothermal Liaison -
Théophile Humann-Guilleminot
Senior Campaign Manager, Methane Pollution Prevention -
Tamara Lagurashvili
Director, Central and Eastern Europe -
Brandon Locke
Europe Policy Manager, Methane Pollution Prevention -
Toby Lockwood
Technology and Markets Director, Carbon Capture -
Alejandra Muñoz Castañer
Government Affairs Manager, Europe -
Maja Pozvek
Government Affairs Manager, Europe -
Malwina Qvist
Director, Nuclear Energy Program -
Codie Rossi
Europe Policy Manager, Carbon Capture -
James Turitto
Director, Global Campaigns, Methane Pollution Prevention -
Zitely Tzompa Sosa
Research Manager, Methane Pollution Prevention -
Alessia Virone
Government Affairs Director, Europe -
Ghassan Wakim
Technology Director, Zero-Carbon Fuels
