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Jul 25 2025
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Gender Power: la transition énergétique au prisme du genre

By Publications

EN (French Version below):

The issue of gender remains a blind spot in the energy and climate policies currently pursued by the Member States of the European Union. Yet women are more affected than men by energy poverty, are more likely to live in poor-quality housing, use public transportation more frequently… All while being underrepresented in energy-related professions.

How can we move away from fossil fuels and carry out a socially just energy transition while reducing gender inequalities? In her new essay, Gender Power, Barbara Nicoloso explores the deep historical links between gender and energy and skillfully outlines a path toward an equitable and just energy transition.

About

This essay is structured around three chapters that provide an overview of gender inequalities in Europe, analyse the connections between a carbon-intensive energy model based on fossil fuels and gender disparities, and identify how to avoid replicating these inequalities in a model based on energy sobriety and renewable energies. It also aims to show how transition policies, and especially those centred on energy sobriety, can serve as levers to reduce gender inequalities. Finally, it outlines the political conditions necessary to ensure that the fight for environmental protection goes hand in hand with the societal fight for gender equality.

The objective of this essay aligns with those pursued by the Green European Foundation: to advance political and public debate toward a more social and sustainable Europe, support elected officials and local stakeholders in implementing a just transition, promote inclusive policies to meet European climate and energy goals, and ensure that the energy transition does not exacerbate social, ethnic, and gender inequalities but instead contributes to reducing them. The essay is based on available scientific and institutional literature on the topic, as well as on interviews conducted with field actors as part of a Knowledge Community composed of representatives from associations, research centres, local governments, and elected officials. This group met from September 2023 to April 2024 to discuss the gender dimension of the energy transition in both the French and European contexts. This Knowledge Community also led to the publication of the policy brief “Putting Gender at the Heart of the EU Energy Transition”, co-authored by Barbara Nicoloso, which you can find by clicking here.

Author

  • Barbara Nicoloso is the director of Virage Énergie and a lecturer at Sciences Po Lille.

 

FR:

La question du genre est un angle mort des politiques énergétiques et climatiques actuellement engagées par les États membres de l’Union européenne. Pourtant, les femmes sont plus impactées que les hommes par la précarité, vivent davantage dans des logements de mauvaise qualité, utilisent plus les transports en commun… Tout en étant sous-représentées dans les métiers de l’énergie. 

Comment sortir des énergies fossiles et mener une transition énergétique socialement juste en réduisant les inégalités de genre ? Dans son nouvel essai, « Gender Power », Barbara Nicoloso explore les liens historiques profonds entre le genre et l’énergie, et esquisse habilement la voie à suivre pour parvenir à une transition énergétique équitable et juste. 

A propos

Cet essai est construit autour de trois chapitres permettant de dresser l’état des lieux des inégalités de genre en Europe, d’analyser les liens entre un modèle énergétique carboné basé sur les combustibles fossiles et les inégalités de genre, pour ensuite identifier la façon d’éviter leur reproduction dans un modèle reposant sur la sobriété et les énergies renouvelables. Il s’agira également de montrer comment les politiques de transition, et en particulier les politiques de sobriété énergétique, peuvent être des leviers pour réduire les inégalités de genre. Enfin, nous exposerons les conditions politiques nécessaires pour que la lutte pour la préservation de l’environnement et la lutte sociétale pour l’égalité de genre aillent de pair. 

L’objectif de cet essai rejoint ceux poursuivis par la Green European Foundation, à savoir, faire avancer les débats politiques et publics vers une Europe plus sociale et durable, accompagner les élus et acteurs locaux dans la mise en place d’une transition juste, promouvoir des politiques inclusives pour atteindre les objectifs climatiques et énergétiques européens et s’assurer que la transition énergétique n’amplifie pas les inégalités sociales, ethniques, et de genre et peut au contraire contribuer à les réduire. Il se base sur la littérature scientifique et institutionnelle disponible sur le sujet ainsi que sur des entretiens réalisés avec des actrices et acteurs de terrain dans le cadre d’une Knowledge Community (Communauté de connaissances) composée de représentant.es d’associations, de centres de recherche, de collectivités locales, d’élu.es qui se sont réunies de septembre 2023 à avril 2024 pour discuter de la dimension genrée de la transition énergétique dans le contexte français et européen. 

Cette communauté de connaissances a également donné lieu au policy brief « Le genre au cœur de la transition énergétique de l’UE », co-écrite par Barbara Nicoloso, que vous pouvez trouver en cliquant ici .

Autrice

  • Barbara Nicoloso est directrice de Virage Énergie et enseignante à Sciences Po Lille.

FR publication link

Published by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Parliament.  

Mar 03 2025
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A European Wellbeing Economy: Avenues for political action

By Publications

About

The starting point of this publication is that the EU’s economy is ultimately embedded in cultural and social systems, which in turn are sub-systems of the Earth’s biosphere. As Fullerton notes, “the history of economic theory is [therefore] not over with Keynes and Hayek”. Instead, we need to be more critical, more systemic, and more daring. A wellbeing economy addresses this need – it aims at delivering quality of life for people, while pulling our economy back within planetary boundaries.

Adopting a wellbeing-centred approach would enable the EU to tackle social-ecological risks linked to the triple planetary crises, to increase fairness, and to transform towards a quality-focused economic strategy. It can inform a sustainable and transformative policy and investment agenda, that goes beyond crisis-after-crisis response. Learning from the past five years of the COVID-19 pandemic, energy and cost of living crises, and at the start of the new mandate, EU leaders have the opportunity to carve out an offer that truly delivers for their citizens amidst geopolitical turmoil.

Our publication is a call to action for EU policymakers across the political spectrum to make the crucial years ahead count for the wellbeing of current and future generations on our planet. Ultimately, we aim to clarify that a wellbeing economy is not an abstract utopia; it is a strategic response to the lessons of history and the need for long-term security. In a world increasingly defined by great power competition, Europe’s best bet is not to be trapped between rival blocs but to define a distinct path – one that prioritises security and protection in the broadest sense. After all, what is security if not the health of people, the resilience of our environment, the strength of education systems, and the assurance of a safe and stable future?

The publication is the result of a one-year-long exchange within a Knowledge Community of more than 60 experts that aims to map the main challenges and provide recommendations to inspire the European institutions in the delivery of their ambition to work toward the wellbeing of its peoples. It discusses the state of play and problem identification, and develops EU-level reflections, solutions and recommendations for 6 interrelated thematic clusters for a European wellbeing economy.

 

Contributors

  • Emma Bergeling is Junior Policy Analyst, Climate and Circular Economy at the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP),
  • Antoine Oger is Executive Director of the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP),
  • Taube Van Melkebeke is Head of Policy of the Green European Foundation (GEF). For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

 

Summary for policymakers

A  summary of the publication can be found here: Summary

Published by the Green European Foundation with the collaboration of the Institute for European Environmental Policies, and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the editor and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Parliament or the Green European Foundation. 

Feb 19 2025
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Post-growth Future(s): New Voices, Novel Visions

By Publications

Growth is no longer a viable path, yet the idea of a post-growth society is still struggling to enter mainstream politics. Despite mounting ecological and social crises, policy discussions remain locked in outdated economic paradigms. However, recent years have marked a turning point, with post-growth thinking gaining momentum in European institutions, civil society, and academia.

The age of growth is behind us, but hardly anybody dares to admit it. […] In this publication, we say it loud and clear: growth is past tense. We need to engage now, without delay, in reimagining prosperity and wellbeing beyond growth

This publication brings together 20 authors from across Europe to explore what a future beyond growth could look like. Through diverse perspectives, it examines how post-growth ideas can reshape economic structures, social justice frameworks, and environmental policies. It also highlights how new voices (academics, activists, and policymakers) are translating these ideas into concrete political and policy action. By connecting emerging debates with real-world transformations, the publication contributes to strengthening the movement for a just and sustainable post-growth future.

This publication is part of the Green European Foundation’s work on post-growth in the scope of the project Post-Growth Future(s). It builds on discussions from key post-growth events, including the Beyond Growth Conference in Brussels and the International Degrowth Conference in Zagreb. The publication amplifies new ideas and connects them with the broader movement for systemic change.

This publication has been realized by the Green European Foundation with the support of  the Institute of Political Ecology and the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, as well as with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Nov 21 2024
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Boosting Participation in the Energy Transition: Five action areas for the new EU policy cycle

By Publications

The transition to a green economy can protect European households from volatile fossil fuel prices through cheap and safe renewables, strengthen democracy and reduce the magnitude and impacts of the climate crisis. But more needs to be done to ensure that every person and community benefits. 

The policy briefs collected in this report describe practical steps that EU institutions should take to boost fair participation in the energy transition and have been prepared based on the expertise of a diverse group of experts. They cover five action areas, ranging from optimisation of energy sharing, electricity tariffs and renovation and renewable heating and cooling, to improving procedures for just transition governance and facilitating local management of the transition. 

“Europe should lead the way into the Green Age, but must take care that no one is left behind.” 

Five areas for action

We encourage you to explore each of the five individual policy briefs featured in this section or access the complete collection in the publication below:

Just Transition governance

Renovation and renewable heating and cooling

Electricity tariff design

Energy sharing

Local management

About the authors

  • Kalina Arabadjieva is a Senior Researcher at the European Trade Union Institute.
  • Marine Cornelis is Founder and Executive Director at Next Energy Consumer.
  • Béla Galgóczi is a Senior Researcher at the European Trade Union Institute.
  • David Ritter is Senior Researcher at Öko‐Institut.
  • Claire Roumet is responsible for Strategic Partnerships, EU Policy and Overall Coordination at Energy Cities.
  • Hélène Sibileau is Senior Policy Advisor at Buildings Performance Institute Europe.

About the editors

  • Taube Van Melkebeke is Head of Policy at the Green European Foundation. She leads the different Knowledge Communities of the Foundation.
  • Jörg Mühlenhoff is Head of European Energy Transition Programme at Heinrich‐Böll‐Stiftung European Union and has co‐led the work of this Knowledge Community.
  • Matthew Jones is a consultant, writer and editor who coordinated the work of this Knowledge Community.

For further information, contact Matthew Jones at matthew.jones@gef.eu.

This policy brief is published with the support of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union. The analysis and opinions expressed in this report reflect the views of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union. 

Jun 17 2024
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Green Approaches to Security and Defence

By Publications

In a shifting geopolitical landscape, Greens are grappling with the interplay between their traditional pacifist roots and the post-February 2022 security challenges. This report delves into their evolving stances on key defence issues, from EU military cooperation to disarmament, offering insights into the varied approaches adopted by Green parties from eight EU countries. Expert viewpoints featured throughout provide further feedback and inputs as to what a Green defence policy could (or should) look like. As Europe navigates turbulent waters, the report calls for renewed commitment to progressive and principled approaches to security and defence.

The report is structured into five chapters that address important EU military challenges. They portray a nuanced understanding of European security dynamics among Green parties, reflecting varying national contexts, strategic cultures, and historical perspectives. This report thus provides a clear mapping of green defence thinking across Europe, including points of convergence, gaps, and tensions. Complemented by the expert views, it gives a solid basis for further discussion within and beyond the Greens, to strengthen defence and security policy while maintaining a critical and progressive voice, even in uncertain times.

Chapter 1 delves into the complex institutional landscape of security and defence in Europe. It examines the debates surrounding the identity of the EU and looks at the respective roles of the EU and NATO as security providers.

Chapter 2 focuses on military expenditures and budget allocation. It discusses differing perspectives among Green parties on the use of GDP to set defence government budgets and on how these should be allocated.

Chapter 3 explores Green parties’ opinions on defence industrial policies broadly understood. It examines Green positions on grant programs put in place by the EU and shows diverging opinions on the allocation of public funds to industry.

Chapter 4 analyses positions on nuclear deterrence, disarmament, and arms control. Green parties generally continue to oppose the doctrine of nuclear deterrence, but the war in Ukraine has led some to revise their position on its effectiveness.

Chapter 5 delves into the intertwined concepts of civic militarism, civil protection and non-violence; their implications for military involvement in security as well as civilian participation to defence.

 

This report is a call to action for Green parties to embrace their role as catalysts for progressive security policies. By navigating the complexities of modern security with creativity, Greens can contribute to shaping a peace-oriented, sustainable, and common European security architecture.

 

About the authors

Agatha Verdebout is a researcher and deputy director at GRIP. Her main area of expertise is international peace and security law.

Anne Xuan Nguyen is a researcher at GRIP. Working more broadly on security and environmental issues, she specializes in conflict-related pollution and its remediation.

 

This report is also available in:

Greek – German

This study was conducted by the Green European Foundation with the support of Etopia , Cogito , Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe, and Sustainable Development Forum Green Window . The study was commissioned by GEF to the Groupe de recherche et d’information sur la paix et la sécurité (GRIP). It is published with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Parliament or the Green European Foundation.

Jun 17 2024
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The Future of the EU’s Energy Project

By Publications

This report  – resulting out of GEF’s Knowledge Communities – aims to serve as a compass for more ambitious, systemic, and inclusive debates on the topic of the EU’s energy project.

Despite its societal, political and democratic significance, energy policy is often viewed as largely technocratic, market-oriented and somewhat opaque, leaving it highly susceptible to backlash. If it can break free from this restrictive framework, the EU’s energy project can transform from a contentious political battleground into a unifying European flagship that enhances cohesion, prosperity, security, resilience, climate action, and global justice.

This report identifies four interconnected areas of critical importance for the energy project: energy security, social aspects, climate and sustainability, and democracy. For each of these dimensions, it highlights current gaps and offers political proposals. The goal of this publication is to ignite and inform political and public debates, ultimately freeing energy policy from its technocratic confines and unlocking systemic green and progressive visions for the future of the EU’s energy project.

 

About the contributing experts

  • Benjamin Denis is a Senior Policy Advisor and Head of Industrial Policy Coordination at IndustriAll Europe.
  • Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera is the Founder and Head of Forum Energii.
  • Rosa Martínez is the State Secretary for Social Rights in Spain.
  • Antoine Oger is the Research Director for Global Challenges and SDGs at the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP).
  • Jesse Scott is Adjunct at Hertie School Berlin and Visiting Fellow at DIW Berlin.

 

About the editors

  • Edouard Gaudot is a teacher, consultant and writer who has contributed to the project as a penholder of the policy briefs that give shape to this report.
  • Taube Van Melkebeke is the Green European Foundation (GEF)’s Head of Policy. She leads the different Knowledge Communities of the foundation.

For further information, contact Taube at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

 

 

This policy brief has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Apr 18 2024
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Navigating NATO

By Publications

Green and progressive parties across Europe have historically held a sceptical view towards the military industry and defence alliances such as NATO. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine spotlighted existing security vulnerabilities and profoundly shifted the public and political debate. In this context, Greens may have differing attitudes towards NATO, but find themselves in the political reality of not if but how to engage within it. Based on desk research and expert interviews from ten European countries, this report explores different ways that greens and progressives can influence NATO, and the risks and opportunities this entails.

 

It is important to bring alternative thinking into mainstream and conservative security spaces, and with more Greens in parliaments and governments across the continent, there is both the room and need for greater influence and expertise.

 

About the author

Sarah Bitamazire

Sarah Bitamazire is a policy expert on international human rights law and foreign policy work in conflict and high-risk environments. She is currently Chief Policy Officer at Lumiera, a boutique advisory firm with policy, tech, and business expertise that equips organisations with responsible AI strategies. Prior to this she was at the heart of the Swedish policy debate on defence and foreign affairs, developing policy ideas for the Swedish Greens. Sarah is specialised in Public International Law and Human Rights Law, and holds a Law Degree from Uppsala University and Leiden University.

 

This report is also available in:

Greek – German

This study was conducted by the Green European Foundation with the support of Cogito. It is published with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Parliament or the Green European Foundation.

Jan 12 2024
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Geopolitics of a Post-Growth Europe

By Uncategorized

Context

As it stands, degrowth fails to resonate with experts in foreign and security policy. It is easy to see why. In geopolitics, many determinants of power – trade, aid, tech nology, defence – are closely linked to GDP. If they do not ignore planetary boundaries altogether, geopolitical pundits trumpet the ‘green growth’ narrative so as to reconcile ecological and geopolitical security. It is this very narrative that degrowthers aim to refute.

It is better to manage the end of growth through democratic deliberation than to have it imposed on us by ecological breakdown.

 

Objectives

It is unlikely that we will be able to defuse the climate time bomb, let alone other ecological threats, as long as our economy continues to grow. But what would the end of economic growth mean for geopolitics? Could a European Union that is the first to embrace post-growth still be a global actor? Would it be able to defend itself, its allies, democracy, human rights, and the international rule of law at a time when aggressive autocracies are invading or threatening their democratic neighbours? This report addresses uneasy questions that few have dared to ask.

 

Project Background

This report is produced by the Green European Foundation. It is part of the project Geopolitics of a Post-Growth Europe. The project is led by Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks (NL) and supported by BlueLink (BG), Center for Green Politics (RS), Etopia (BE), Fondation de l’Écologie Politique (FR), Green House Think Tank (UK), and Transición Verde (ES). Check out www.geopoliticspostgrowth.eu for more interviews, videos, and other project outputs.

 

Available Translations

Dutch

Spanish

Serbian

French

Bulgarian

Czech

Portuguese

This report has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the support of  Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Mar 16 2023
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The Future of Eastern Europe and Eco-Democracy

By Uncategorized

Context & Objectives

Democracy in Eastern Europe is hanging by a thread. Authoritarianism is growing and nationalist narratives are reopening old conflicts. The pandemic has exposed governments’ inefficiencies to react to any sort of crisis and contributed to heighten polarisation in an already polarised society. On the other side, hope is on the horizon as progressive movements are gaining relevance locally, and mobilisation around environmental issues is rapidly growing. In this context, this publication aims to explore how to leverage these small steps and use them to strengthen the Green movement in the region. This publication is part of the Transnational Project The Future of Eastern Europe and Eco democracy.

“At least two to three generations of humans have now lived through some of the fastest changes with regards to the climate crisis and species extinction. It is up to us to reinvent politics, disrupt the status quo and create a solid foundation not only for us but also for the continued existence of biodiversity on our planet…”

 

Download

Also available in Greek.

Also available in Turkish.

 

This publication has been published by the Green European Foundation with the support of Cooperation Development Networks Eastern Europe (CDNEE), Green Thought Association (Turkey), Sustainable Development Forum Green Window (Croatia), Green Institute (Greece) and Ecopolis Foundation (Hungary).

Jan 31 2023
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Nuclear Power

By Uncategorized

Context

The nuclear power lobby is stronger today than ever. The lobbyists have succeeded in creating an enormous disparity in the perception of what to believe and reality. The post-Chernobyl generation is increasingly falling prey to the fairy tale of modern, safe, cheap and CO2 neutral nuclear power. These arguments can be quickly refuted and often only serve to conceal the ulterior motive: to increase the stockpile of nuclear armaments. Nuclear power will most definitely not save the environment.

Objectives

This publications argues that nuclear power is not the solution to climate change including a critical analysis of the main ten misconceptions about “green” nuclear power. It has been written in close cooperation with Martin Litschauer, Member of the Austrian Parliament and Anti-nuclear Spokesman of the Austrian Greens, and Maria Niedertscheider, Expert Assistant, Austrian Federal Environmental Agency. Th purpose of the brochures is to serve as guidance for a broad European discussion and as a concise summary of the narrative on nuclear power as a supposedly bridge technology.

If we want to protect ourselves and save the environment, we have to use solar, wind and geothermal energy, because these are the fastest and safest ways to achieve the energy transition.

Translations

Available in Turkish

Available in Slovenian

This publication, originally published by FREDA, has been realised by the Green European Foundation and FREDA with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Oct 26 2022
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Rethinking Energy Demand

By Uncategorized

Context

Scientists are clear that Europe must significantly reduce its overall energy demand to meet the targets for carbon reduction necessary to limit climate danger. In its latest report on climate mitigation, the IPCC has, for the first time, included a chapter dedicated to reducing demand. This chapter concludes that calling for individual action is insufficient and that a society-wide approach is needed for significant impact, delivering up to 70% decarbonisation.

However, there is a dangerous silence on this matter within the public sphere. Politicians are hesitant to speak on this point, fearing the disruption that this will cause. (2) However, disruption is an inevitable part of any economic change and there is still time to make a choice about the form this disruption takes. Avoiding the topic closes off all options around how to address the impacts.

Objectives

This report explores the need to rethink energy demand in terms of policies, politics and economics. It draws on interviews and round-table discussions with academics researching energy reduction and sufficiency, and post-growth and macroeconomics, and with green politicians.

Energy demand is just a subset of how humanity is exceeding planetary boundaries.

 

The report focuses on the barriers, opportunities and where sufficient changes could be unlocked through new governance, policies and communication, rather than on specific policies for specific sectors.  Whilst this report focuses specifically on reducing direct energy demand, much of the report’s findings could be applied to much wider challenges, including the indirect energy embodied in supply chains, which also need to be reduced if we are to address the interlocking climate and ecological crises. The report is written to inform and provide a resource for policy makers, politicians, climate campaigners and the general public who are motivated to respond to the climate change threat.

Download

Available in Greek

Available in Catalan

Available in Spanish

This publication has been realised by the Green European Foundation and Green House Think Tank with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Apr 06 2022
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Albanian Green Academy Report

By Uncategorized

Context and Objectives

This report was prepared based on the trainings, workshops and lectures organized at the Albanian Green Academy in 2021. The overarching themes of the events focused on the European Green Deal and Climate Justice at local, national and European levels. The aim of the report is to promote green thinking in political, social and environmental aspects in Albania and the region.

About the Albanian Green Academy:

The Albanian Green Academy 2021 was held on 10-12thSeptember and 1-3rdOctober. It was divided in two phases. The main theme and focus of this first phase of the academy was “European Green Deal”. The main theme and focus of this second phase of the acade my was “Climate Change. In this series of 6-day training the topics of European Green Deal and Climate Change were addressed in the context of national and European conditions. Avery important objective of this project was to bring together, equip with information and build cooperation between different groups to achieve an environmental society.

Climate change is already happening: temperatures are rising, droughts and wildfires are starting to happen more often, rainfall patterns are changing, glaciers and snow are melting and the average global sea level is rising. To mitigate climate change, we must reduce or prevent emissions related to human activities.

Download

Digital version in Albanian is available here

This report has been published by the Green Europe Foundation with the support ofthe Albanian Green Institute and with the financial support of the EuropeanParliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is notresponsible for the content of this report.

Jan 14 2022
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Greening Hydrogen- Big issues around a small molecule

By Uncategorized

Context

Europe is heading towards the Green Age, an era defined by climate neutrality and the circular economy. There is broad agreement on the need for this transition, reflected by the global Paris Agreement, the European Green Deal, or COP26. The EU aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050. Decarbonising the production of an element like hydrogen is key to achieve such climate goals as this element is currently responsible for over 2% of total global CO2 emissions.

“ Europe should lead the way into the Green Age, but must take care that no one is left behind…”

 

About the project:

This report is part of a project led by the Green European Foundation exploring what a climate emergency economy would look like through a rethinking of trade, industry and infrastructure investment. The project is supported by Green House Think Tank in the UK alongside green foundations in the Netherlands, Ireland, Bulgaria, Poland and Finland. It is organised with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

 

Objectives

Introducing hydrogen to our energy and materials systems clearly raises several pressing questions that are of relevance to the work of Green parties in Europe. This report aims to give a brief overview of the most controversial issues surrounding hydrogen from a green perspective in order to facilitate debate on this matter.

 

Download

Available in Spanish

This publication has been realised with the support of the Wetenschappelijk Bureau GroenLinks, and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Nov 08 2021
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Global Public Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon

By Uncategorized

Context

Sufficient and appropriately directed global public investment is critical to shift our economies to zero carbon. Currently such investment is inadequate, and still funds additional fossil fuel dependent transport infrastructure. This report explores UK and EU global public investment in transport.

This  publication strengthens the calls for climate finance agreed at COP26 to be sufficient to address the climate emergency. Global fossil fuel subsidies of $450 billion dwarfed additional international climate finance of $43 billion in 2020. Arbitrary funding targets, dubious accounting and outdated ideas about how funding should be spent perpetuate the status quo. European governments must lead in ensuring public investment in zero carbon is provided internationally on the same basis as domestically.

About the project:

This report is part of a project led by the Green European Foundation exploring what a climate emergency economy would look like through a rethinking of trade, industry and infrastructure investment. The project is supported by Green House Think Tank in the UK alongside green foundations in the Netherlands, Ireland, Bulgaria, Poland and Finland. It is organised with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

 

Objectives

Global Public Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon examines how international aid, loans from development banks and export finance all continue to fund fossil fuel-dependent developments. This is particularly true in the transport sector, which soaked up around 20% of global official development assistance from 2014-2019. And rather than zero carbon transport systems to serve local populations, much of this aid is funding new roads, airports, ports and rail projects that support export-orientated economic growth.

The report sets out three clear recommendations the following:

  1. Climate finance must be additional to the meeting of existing 0.7% target for aid;
  2. All countries must stop financing infrastructure that locks in fossil fuel use and align aid and public expenditure to tackling the climate and ecological emergency;
  3. Global public investment must be more accountable, equitable and effective.

 

“As we approach COP26, all countries must commit to stop double-counting climate finance with pre-existing official development assistance commitments, and ensure both are sufficient and fully aligned with the Paris Commitment to avoid dangerous climate change. That means that financing of infrastructure that accelerates must end now, both at home and abroad.”

 

Audiovisual material

 

This publication has been realised with the support of the Green House Think Tank, and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Sep 02 2021
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European Green Perspectives on Basic Income

By Uncategorized

Context

Since 2017, the Green European Foundation has shaped the discussion of advancing universal basic income in Europe and, if possible, worldwide.

“European Green Perspectives on Basic Income” is the second volume of a collection of articles tackling different facets and perspectives on basic income (BI) 1.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the debate about basic income has gained a lot of traction. In Europe, and around the world, we’ve seen efforts to ease the economic crisis across all levels of government.

A considerable amount of aid programs that were approved included a partial basic income. For the first time, many people realised we can all suddenly find ourselves in an economically challenging situation through no fault of our own.

An unconditional basic income may help us focus our energies on finding a way out of this crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic further highlighted and aggravated social injustice and economic inequalities as much as it raised questions on the social responsibility of individuals and solidarity at all levels of society.

Objectives

Our aim is to support initiatives to foster a debate within and outside Green circles to learn from each other and to allow an exchange of alternative social policies. Following the suggestion of the “European Green network of basic income supporters”, we have updated and expanded the Green European Foundation’s publication, European Green Perspectives on Basic Income, from 2019 to create this present publication. Similar to the first edition, this second volume aims to provide insights into the discussions about BI in various European countries,–both within the Green movement as well as in the broader public–and contextualises those in historic and cultural prerequisites.

“From a degrowth perspective, UBI should be implemented as a tool to reinforce democracy by reconnecting people by creating solidarities and by questioning basic needs and how to fulfil them in a sustainable way.”

 

Download

Available  in Greek

Available in Albanian

Available in Croatian

Aug 26 2021
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Transport Investment: The Zero Carbon Challenge

By Uncategorized

Context

“Transport Investment: The Zero Carbon Challenge” is part of a project led by the Green European Foundation exploring what a climate emergency economy would look like through a rethinking of trade, industry and infrastructure investment. The report exposes the uncomfortable truth that a major shift in transport infrastructure investment is needed. It quantifies the massive scale of transport infrastructure investment plans across the UK and EU and how this fails to align to existing climate targets. This highlights that whilst heavy goods transport, shipping and aviation are some of the hardest to decarbonise, demand for these transport modes are not being managed or constrained in line with climate commitments.

Objectives

The report calls on transport to have far stronger carbon targets so that it is able to help drive down carbon emissions across the rest of the economy, rather than holding back the transition to zero carbon. A radical overhaul of transport infrastructure spending plans is needed so that funding is redirected from expanding capacity, to decarbonising existing transport. The report is framed ,using the Zero Carbon Policy Toolkit introduced in GEF and Green House’s August 2020 report, Trade and Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon.

 

“Facing up to climate reality requires governments to stop driving transport growth. It is just as irresponsible to expand transport – which leads to burning of more petrol, diesel, kerosene and heavy fuel oil – as to dig a new coal mine in Cumbria. In both cases new infrastructure stands in the way of phasing out the burning of fossil fuels. Governments must ensure investment is redirected from expanding transport to decarbonising what we have already. Continued transport capacity growth should also be classed as Ecocide.” 

 

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Available in Spanish

 

Visual material

 

 

 

This publication has been realised by the Green European Foundation and Green House Think Tank with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

 

 

 

May 12 2021
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The Social and Environmental Requirements of a Climate Emergency Economy

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The Social and Environmental Requirements of a Climate Emergency Economy argues that we need to dramatically reduce demand for resources, particularly in the transport, steel and construction sectors, and invest in jobs and livelihoods rather than infrastructure and material goods.
It also asserts that the transition to low-carbon must be built on consent and be equitable.
The report contains Recommendations, using the policy toolkit introduced in the Green House and GEF report, Trade and Investment Requirements for Zero Carbon.

 

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Available in Czech.

This work forms part of a wider project exploring what a ‘climate emergency economy’ would look like through a rethinking of trade, industry and infrastructure investment. The project involves Greenhouse Think Tank in the UK alongside Wetenshappelijk Bureau Groenlinks in the Netherlands and Green Foundation Ireland, and the Bulgarian Foundation of Environment and Agriculture.
Apr 28 2021
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Freedom and Security in a Complex World (2021 edition)

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Context

People all over the world are taking their future back into their hands. Together, they are taking initiatives in the fields of renewable energy, local food production, sharing tools, and so forth. This is the most hopeful movement of our time. Where the market and state fail, people are taking action. As free citizens, they are reinventing the collective, with open partnerships where personal development and social engagement go hand in hand. This observation seems to contradict what we experience every day. The system errors of our society model fill the newspapers: climate crisis, unstable banks, refugee flows. Accepted wisdom is that uncertainty is increasing. But both trends are happening, not by coincidence, at the same time.

 

Objectives

While examining the two interlinked concepts of Freedom and Security, this publication suggests that the answer needs to be the transformation into a socioecological society in the 21st century. It argues for the realisation of a societal project that strives for equal freedom for all people to flourish in security, within the boundaries of the planet, and proposes concrete steps towards it.

 

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Available in English here.

Available in French here.

Available in German here.

Available in Hungarian here.

Available in Spanish here.

Available in Macedonian here.

Available in Greek here.

This report presents a new and updated take on the 2017 version (Please see the English, French, German, Hungarian and Spanish editions from that year, which were part of the transnational project “A green transformation: Freedom and Security in uncertain times” ).

The 2021 report was developed in partnership with Oikos and with financial support from the European Parliament to the European Green Foundation. 

Apr 12 2021
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The Transformative Doughnut Economics Model

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The doughnut economics model is increasingly presented as an alternative human development measure, meeting needs and crossing the boundaries of environmental degradation. In the last ten years, the model has been further developed, and more and more, cities are giving up measuring their development through GDP and deciding to switch to the doughnut model, which should ensure that human needs are met in accordance with natural boundaries.

Read more about it and how cities can be a fertile testing ground for the model in English, Serbian and Greek.

Mar 24 2021
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Ten Thoughts on Growth

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With the ongoing Covid-crisis, it has become clear that “business as usual” is no longer an option, as the effects will be felt for years to come. Yet still, governments remain obsessed with growth based on GDP.

In this report, Mikael Malmaeus (board member in Cogito and researcher at The Swedish Environmental Research Institute) uncovers and clarifies the concepts of growth, their meaning and impact with the purpose to enable a meaningful, forward looking and insightful discussion on preferred futures and where to start to get there. With this collaboration, GEF and Cogito hope to contribute to a clear and comprehensive discussion on growth today and tomorrow, and to inspire actionable insight.

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Available in Polish

Available in Czech

Available in Albanian

Available in Turkish