The sharp rise in energy prices is having severe economic, social and political impacts on a European Union that is fully committed to decarbonisation. Is this a temporary or a structural price spike? Can national and EU public policies turn this energy price crisis into an opportunity? Can the energy transition increase Europe’s strategic autonomy and reduce geopolitical risks? What are the prospects for green hydrogen in the European transition? What role should citizens play in reaching Net Zero? What are the implications of the energy price spike for European climate policy? Are there any broader implications for international climate governance? These and other issues related to the challenges of the European energy transition were dealt with by a panel of four experts from leading European think tanks.

Participants:

Welcome remarks by José Juan Ruiz, Chairman, Elcano Royal Institute | @ElcanoJjRuiz
Georg Zachmann, Senior Fellow, Energy & Climate Policy, Bruegel | @GeorgZachmann
Kirsten Westphal, Senior Analyst, German Institute for International and Security Affairs-SWP; H2 Global Initiative | @kirstenwestpha1
David Robinson, Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies-OIES | @DRAenergy
Lara Lázaro, Senior Analyst, Elcano Royal Institute | @lazarotouza

Moderator: Gonzalo Escribano, Senior Analyst and Director of the Energy and Climate Change Programme, Elcano Royal Institute | @g_escribano

Wednesday, 22nd December 2021, from 12:00 to 13:00 h. CET (UTC+1).