Chatham House Environment and Society Centre

Energy security after gas: Why Europe needs a fresh mindset | Euractiv The electricity grid is fast becoming the backbone of Europe’s economy, climate strategy and security architecture. Without major, sustained investment in the grid, renewables cannot scale, electrification will stall and vulnerabilities will grow

⚡ Energy security after gas: Why Europe needs a fresh mindset.

Chris Aylett argues that the EU must shift from a model based on fuel imports to one built on a resilient, electrified system. Electrification is the new strategy for security.

🖇️ Read the full article: www.euractiv.com/opinion/ener...

What does the EU's CBAM mean for countries in the Global South? Podcast Episode · The Climate Briefing · 03/02/2026 · 41m

🗓️ What does the EU's CBAM mean for countries in the Global South?

To find out Anna Åberg discusses concerns and solutions with Aparna Sharma, Shimukunku Manchishi, and Ieva Baršauskaitė.

🎧Listen here for more: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...

Why renewables and electrification hold the keys to EU energy security Using the low-carbon transition to improve resilience, mitigate geopolitical risks and lower costs

⚡Why renewables and electrification hold the keys to EU energy security

📖To find out more, read out latest paper:
www.chathamhouse.org/2026/01/why-renewables-and-electrification-hold-keys-eu-energy-security?utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=bskyapp&utm_campaign=esc

What has the first year of Trump 2.0 meant for the climate? Anna and Bhargabi speak to former National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy about how the first year of Trump 2.0 has impacted global efforts to address climate change.

📅 One year of Trump 2.0: What has it meant for global climate action?

Anna Aberg and Bhargabi Bharadwaj are joined by former US Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy to reflect on a pivotal year for global climate efforts and what happens next.

🎧 Listen here for more www.chathamhouse.org/2026/01/what...

🚨 UPCOMING EVENT 🚨

💧 How global trade can drive fair & sustainable water use

Join us to examine how trade can protect water security and manage critical supply chains in an age of climate risk.

📖 Sign up here: www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...

China’s clean tech charm offensive wins Global South hearts and minds A new survey shows growing public willingness to buy Chinese clean technologies, write Chris Aylett and Bernice Lee

🌏 China’s clean tech "charm offensive" is winning over the Global South.

Bernice Lee and Chris Aylett explore how China’s dominance in the green transition is reshaping international hearts, minds, and markets.

🔗For more read here: dialogue.earth/en/energy/ch...

💧 Global food trade hides a growing water security risk…

In this paper, Richard King explains how ‘virtual water’ in food trade shifts water stress onto vulnerable regions.

Flick through the carousel for key takeaways and read the full paper here ➡️: www.chathamhouse.org/2025/12/wate...

US control of Venezuela’s oil may not be the bonanza that Trump expects Robust long-term oil demand is needed to justify significant investment, but is called into question by the growing popularity of electric vehicles.

🛢️Trump’s ambition to rebuild Venezuela’s oil sector faces a harsh reality: a $183bn repair bill and a global market that is rapidly moving away from fossil fuels.

Read here for Chris Aylett's analysis of why this high-risk is a potentially outdated strategy: www.chathamhouse.org/2026/01/pres...

Circularity of solar mini-grids in Africa Solar mini-grids are among the most promising routes to universal energy access in Africa. Integrating circularity, skills training and supportive policies can make them resilient, affordable and sust...

🔋Solar mini-grids are vital for energy access in Africa, but rapid expansion is creating new systemic risks.

Elizabeth Adetoye, Afolasade Odumuyiwa and Patrick Schroeder examine how circular design and local repair skills can ensure a sustainable transition.

circulareconomy.earth/publications...

The water footprints of global food and agriculture trade Why the ‘virtual water’ use hidden in supply chains is critical to sustainability

💧 Global food trade hides a growing water security risk…

In this paper, Richard King explains how ‘virtual water’ in food trade shifts water stress onto vulnerable regions.

🔗 Read: www.chathamhouse.org/2025/12/wate...

Positive and negative tipping points Podcast Episode · The Climate Briefing · 17/12/2025 · 30m

🤔 Are all climate tipping points bad?

Anna Aberg and Professor Tim Lenton discuss the dangers of Earth system tipping points and whether positive tipping points in society could help drive rapid decarbonisation.

🎧 Listen: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

Nigeria is sparking renewable solutions to its energy crisis Patrick Schröder and Muyiwa Oyinlola visit a project using solar-powered ‘mini-grids’ to bring electricity to rural communities with local know-how and Chinese technology.

⚡ As Nigeria’s energy crisis deepens, solar mini-grids are bringing power to rural communities. Patrick Schröder looks at how decentralised renewables are reshaping energy access.

🔗Read more here: www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

The world in 2026 Chatham House experts highlight the crunch moments and potential flashpoints in the year ahead.

🌍 Looking ahead to 2026, Ana Yang warns that climate progress is far from guaranteed.

Geopolitical fragmentation, weak multilateral cooperation and uneven momentum on mitigation and adaptation are reshaping the global climate agenda.

🔗 Read more: www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

🎙️ The energy transition is also a geopolitical contest.

Patrick Schröder joins This Is Not A Drill to discuss how critical minerals and clean energy supply chains are shaping a new battle for energy supremacy.

🎧 Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/3fEG...

Almost 70% of people globally are comfortable with their government buying Chinese-made clean technologies, new survey finds New data suggests that China’s clean tech ‘charm offensive’ is working to win over emerging economies.

🌍 New Chatham House and GlobeScan polling shows almost 70% of people worldwide are comfortable with governments buying Chinese-made clean tech. Support is strongest among younger people and across the Global South, as Bernice Lee and Chris Aylett highlight.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4q30EMN

The world in 2025 Here’s what Chatham House’s experts will be keeping their eyes on in the year ahead

🌡️ Pre-COP30, Ana Yang warned that net zero isn’t guaranteed and climate cooperation is slipping. After COP-30, her message matters even more.

🔗Read here for her full reflection: www.chathamhouse.org/publications...

Agents of change: Insights from five grassroots sustainability initiatives by Elizabeth Adetoye and Ellie Macmillan-Fox Last year, the Sustainability Accelerator launched a Microgrant scheme, supporting five locally led projects across Africa and Asia. In today's article, we explore insights and challenges that emerged...

🌱 New from the Sustainability Accelerator: Elizabeth Adetoye and Ellie McMillan Fox share insights from five grassroots projects supported through last year’s Microgrant scheme, showing how local action drives a more inclusive and resilient transition.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4pxN8jF

What happened at COP30? Podcast Episode · The Climate Briefing · 26/11/2025 · 36m

🚨 New podcast 🚨

COP30 is over. So what actually happened in Belém?

Anna Aberg speaks with Jennifer Morgan and David Waskow to unpack the real outcomes and what comes next...

🎧 Listen here for more: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...

How to bolster food security through global early-warning systems Countering cascading risks with enhanced monitoring and response preparedness

🫘 As #COP30 turns attention to agriculture and food security, we’re revisiting our paper on how early-warning systems can strengthen global food resilience amid rising climate and geopolitical pressures.

📘 Read more: www.chathamhouse.org/2025/09/how-...

#COP30 #FoodSecurity #ClimateAction

The emerging global crisis of land use How rising competition for land threatens international and environmental stability, and how the risks can be mitigated

🌲 As #COP30 shifts focus to nature and land use, we’re revisiting our paper on “The Emerging Global Crisis of Land Use,” which warns of a growing global 'land crunch' driven by competing demands for food, bioenergy, conservation and carbon removal.

📘 For more read here: https://bit.ly/4piTOCo

Rare Earth - COP30: A New Hope? - BBC Sounds World leaders are gathering in Brazil, but can they prevent runaway climate change?

🎙️ COP30: A New Hope?

As COP30 continues in Brazil, Anna Åberg joins Rare Earth on BBC Radio 4 to explore fresh strategies for accelerating climate action and building a unified international response to the climate crisis.

🎧 Listen here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

⚙️ Clean steel needs more than carbon pricing.

Targeted subsidies and trade-friendly rules could unlock near-zero-emission production, say Chris Aylett & the Breakthrough Agenda Policy Network.

🔗 Read the full report: www.scurveeconomics.org/publications...

An agenda for UK–China climate cooperation Why joint action can and should transcend political challenges

⚡On #COP30’s Energy & Industry Day, we’re revisiting our paper on how UK-China cooperation can accelerate clean energy deployment and industrial decarbonisation, essential to the global transition.

Read more: www.chathamhouse.org/2025/01/agen...

Letter: Latin America needs help to wean itself off oil and gas From Ana Yang, Director of Chatham House’s Environment and Society Centre, London SW1, UK

🔄 In the Financial Times, Ana Yang argues that pitting growth against climate action is a false choice.

For countries like Brazil, success at COP30 depends on partnerships, investment, and technology transfer to enable fair, low-carbon growth.

📖 Read here: www.ft.com/content/566e...

Greece’s LNG energy hub ambitions will help EU needs now – but should not shape long-term policy Relying on imports of US LNG carries economic and environmental risk. In the long term, Greece should invest in its considerable clean energy infrastructure.

⛽ Greece’s LNG expansion may secure Europe’s energy today, but at what cost tomorrow?

In his new expert comment, Zissis Marmarelis warns long-term reliance on US LNG could stall the clean transition…

💡 Read more here: www.chathamhouse.org/2025/11/gree...

🗺️Reporting from #COP30 in Belém…

Yesterday, Ana Yang joined a panel on ‘Climate Disasters: How to Adapt?’, sharing her insights on global adaptation and resilience.

💭 What role do you think financial systems should play in building climate-ready societies?

How the circular economy can revive the Sustainable Development Goals Priorities for immediate global action, and a policy blueprint for the transition to 2050

♻️ Continuing COP30’s Circular Economy Day, we're revisiting our research on how a just, inclusive circular transition can rewire trade, boost cooperation, and embed equity at its core.

🔁 Read here for a blueprint for action: www.chathamhouse.org/2024/09/how-...

How strategic collaboration on the bioeconomy can boost climate and nature action This paper examines the potential for international coordination on bio-based innovations.

🌎 On COP30’s Bioeconomy Day, revisit this paper on how countries can work together to unlock sustainable bio-based innovation, which is key to both climate and nature goals.

📗Read more: www.chathamhouse.org/2024/10/how-...

COP30: Key issues to watch Podcast Episode · The Climate Briefing · 05/11/2025 · 55m

📻 New podcast episode alert! 📻

🚨 Cop30: Key issues to watch 🚨

COP30 is about to begin. Where do we stand ahead of the conference? What are the key issues to watch, and how might the complex geopolitical context influence the discussions in Belém?

🎙Find out: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...

What can COP30 achieve, following US withdrawal and underwhelming climate plans? November’s UN climate summit in Brazil won’t put the world on track for 1.5 °C. But it can demonstrate sustained commitment to tackling climate change and support the implementation of pledges made at...

🌍 With the US quitting the Paris Agreement and few new climate plans, expectations for COP30 are low…

Anna Åberg, Bernice Lee & Eleanor Macmillan-Fox say the summit can still show global commitment and shift focus from negotiation to delivery.

Read here: www.chathamhouse.org/2025/10/what...