Since its geopolitical turn, the European Commission has time and again reiterated the need for member states to level up the EU’s autonomous security and defence capabilities.
The EU has legislated a zero-emissions sales mandate for new cars and vans from 2035, the first of an array of green laws the European Commission (EC) is set to introduce.
European countries aim to lessen their dependence on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine while pursuing their goal of realising carbon emissions neutrality in the EU by 2050.
President Macron announced in February 2022 that he wanted to ‘restart the construction of nuclear reactors’ with six new reactors after the definitive closure of the nuclear power plant in Fessenheim (Haut-Rhin) in June 2020.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022, questions about energy independence in the EU and the various ways this could be achieved re-emerged.
While COP26 seems to have had lukewarm effects on the global approach towards more sustainable policies, a key takeaway is the promotion of market environmentalism.
Most countries are not on track to meet their promises made under the Paris Agreement, as impactful climate action is often hindered by the high costs of decarbonisation.