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Our Work in Europe

Pursuing deep decarbonization in the world’s climate laboratory

EU Building EU Flags

With the European Green Deal, Europe is now the global proving ground for climate and energy policy.

The EU and its member states are developing policies for some of the most vital cogs of a thriving clean energy system: from hydrogen policy to methane abatement to industrial decarbonization and much more. In 2020, CATF solidified the organization’s leadership in the region by launching our European operations. We are excited to have a growing team of experts working to bring forward innovative climate policy solutions across the continent.

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The Challenges

In Europe, CATF is focused on tackling problems that have seen the least progress in the past few decades.

Our aim is always to add value to the impressive climate effort already underway in Europe. As such, we have prioritised our research and policy efforts on the most stubborn and least examined decarbonisation challenges facing Europeans.

Our priorities in Europe

CATF is putting its efforts into climate policy areas that could have a significant impact on reducing emissions and deploying new technology to decarbonise Europe’s energy system.

Our current agenda is built around three key areas of focus:

Super Pollutants

Cutting methane emissions as soon as possible:

  • Methane mitigation is  the strategy with the greatest potential to decrease global warming in the next 20 years.
  • In September of 2021, the European Union and the United States announced a landmark new Global Methane Pledge to collectively reduce worldwide methane emissions from all sectors by 30% (below 2020 levels) by 2030 and to take comprehensive domestic action to achieve this target.
  • At CATF, we work to promote ambitious, EU-wide policy for methane emissions reductions from the oil and gas sector as a relatively easy, cheap, and fast to implement approach.

Zero-Carbon Fuels

Championing the transition to zero-carbon fuels:

  • In the EU, about 70% of final energy consumption comes via fossil fuels. To decarbonize, those fuels must be replaced.
  • Zero-carbon fuels are fuels that do not emit carbon when combusted. The most promising of these are hydrogen and ammonia. As Europe transitions to an energy system that is kinder to the environment, zero-carbon fuels are recognised as key components of the future energy mix.
  • Zero-carbon fuels are particularly important for crucial European sectors such as heavy transport and energy-intensive industry, where the introduction of green electricity is either not practical or highly inefficient.

Carbon Capture

Promoting investment into carbon capture, removal, and storage technologies:

  • The sooner we can reduce CO2 emissions, the better our chance at fending off the worst effects of climate change. The best climate models agree: carbon capture technologies will be vital for the reduction of emissions from industrial facilities and from the atmosphere.
  • Currently, there are a handful of  carbon capture removal and storage projects underway in Europe. In order to reach the net-zero target by 2050, policymakers must develop powerful incentives for greater investment in carbon capture facilities.

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Meet our experts

Our European team of experts is focused on applying pressure in Brussels and driving a comprehensive policy and technology advocacy agenda forward in member states.

Media Inquiries

For all press and media inquiries related to our work in Europe, please contact Rowan Emslie.

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As a CATF supporter, you are investing in our efforts and ability to successfully implement this new strategy and build strong local partnerships and coalitions that drive progress forward.

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