ECCO think tank

Paradoxical EU-China climate relations As COP30 approaches, what is the real state of EU–China climate relations?

🔎As #COP30 nears, what is the state of EU-China climate relations?

ECCO’s Cecilia Trasi joined 'The Sound of Economics' to discuss how the EU & China share a green transition goal but take different paths - and where they can cooperate.

👉Listen to the episode by @bruegel.org:
tinyurl.com/cefy6y48

Energy transition: reforming taxation and system charges - ECCO In Italy today, the average household pays three times more in taxes and charges on electricity than on gas.

📌Energy transition: reforming taxation & system charges to lower bills

In Italy, households pay 3x more in taxes and charges on electricity than on gas. To ensure a fair and competitive transition, this system must change.

This is the key message of ECCO's three new reports:
tinyurl.com/bdhjtxna

📍European Parliament

Yesterday, ECCO’s Filomena Annunziata joined MEPs & civil society to discuss the New Pact for the Mediterranean.

She discussed the links between climate, stability & development, and the #energytransition as a key driver of shared prosperity.

👉Learn more: tinyurl.com/ykwparn9

Opportunities for Enhanced EU Diplomacy in the Mediterranean | Strategic Perspectives The Mediterranean offers the EU new opportunities for energy diplomacy, industrial cooperation, and cleaner, more secure energy partnerships.

🔎The Mediterranean’s role in the #energytransition

A new @strategiceu.bsky.social report shows how the New Pact for the Mediterranean & the Trans-Mediterranean Energy & Clean Tech Initiative can encourage clean energy diplomacy in the region.

👉Read the full report: tinyurl.com/2sbvxxh5

@e3g.bsky.social @ecdpm.org @clingendael.bsky.social

Yesterday, we co-hosted a closed-door workshop on building a financial framework to support the #Mediterranean energy transition.

Thanks to participants’ insights, the workshop fostered a forward-looking exchange on solutions for financing a just energy transition in the region.

📌Methane emissions & reduction strategies

Yesterday we joined @eia-news.bsky.social & Legambiente to discuss #methane emission reduction strategies.

Experts highlighted that while existing regulations offer a path forward, implementation depends on the involvement of civil society & consumers.

UNGA and the Climate Summit: pledges and hopes in New York - ECCO From 23 to 27 September 2025, world leaders convened in New York for the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

🔎At #UNGA, nearly 100 countries (responsible for 2/3 of global emissions) announced new climate targets.

➡️The focus now shifts to #COP30: the crucial moment to turn promises into concrete plans & strengthen multilateralism.

Read the analysis by Alex Scott & Valeria Zanini👇
tinyurl.com/msm6w7ps

🔎A new analysis by @ember-energy.org shows how gas prices influence Europe's electricity market.

While Spain has broken the gas–power price link thanks to rapid renewables growth, Italy’s reliance on #fossilfuels makes it among the most exposed.

👉Read the full report: tinyurl.com/3jzrkmud

⚡Last week, at the #HeatPumpForum 2025, we moderated a panel discussion on how to make clean energy more accessible.

➡️We were joined by Marcos González Álvarez @ec.europa.eu, Daniele Agostini @enelgroupit.bsky.social, Peter Liese @europarl.europa.eu and Rheanna Johnston @e3g.bsky.social.

@regassistproj.bsky.social @louisesunderland.bsky.social @duncangibb.net @bramclaeys.bsky.social

Making electricity cheaper: Redistributing policy costs for affordable household heat electrification Affordable electrification relies on affordable electricity. Nuanced price reform will best equip decision-makers for success.

And here👇

2️⃣ www.raponline.org/knowledge-ce...

Making electricity cheaper: RAP's eight priority actions RAP identifies 8 priority actions to make electricity cheaper for European industry, businesses & households in the short, medium & long-term.

Read them here👇

1️⃣ www.raponline.org/knowledge-ce...

#MakeElectricityCheaper

🗣️“Lowering electricity costs is key to making efficient technologies accessible & boosting European competitiveness. This must be a political priority.”
-Chiara Di Mambro, ECCO

New reports from @regassistproj.bsky.social y.social present concrete solutions to achieve this ⬇️

Reimagine Food Systems - A Call For Agricultural Emissions Reductions | Reimagine Food Systems - A coalition for agriculture transition Urging COP30 delegations to embrace a just transition from industrial agriculture to agroecology is vital. This includes advocating for binding agricultural emissions reduction targets, promoting plan...

According to the IPCC, transforming food systems is key to meeting global climate goals.

This week, 90+ organisations backed the “Reimagine Food Systems” initiative, urging countries to strengthen their #NDCs by including commitments on agriculture & food systems.

👉Learn more: tinyurl.com/syruy67a

What is the Global Conference on Environmental Taxation? - ECCO From 24 to 26 September 2025, the 26th edition of the Global Conference on Environmental Taxation (GCET26) took place in Porto Alegre.

📌Global Conference on Environmental Taxation

Last week, we were in Brazil for #GCET26, where the key role of taxation in the transition was reaffirmed.

For Italy, it highlighted the need to reform energy taxation & align fiscal tools with #decarbonisation goals.

👉Learn more: tinyurl.com/mse9paed

Last week, we met in Gaeta to shape our 2026 strategy.

🗣️Days of reflection set the course for 2026, adapting to a changing world while advancing our mission for #climate action.

🔋With our batteries recharged & to-do lists updated, we’re ready to discuss the opportunities, solutions & risks ahead.

Why COP30 must confront the widening climate reality gap COP30 must confront the widening climate reality gap by prioritising adaptation, accelerating a just fossil fuel transition and reforming outdated systems.

🔎Why #COP30 must confront the climate reality gap

Belém will serve as a test for responses governments must deliver on climate.

These must start by defining paths to scale up adaptation, accelerate the transition & mobilise finance.

👉Learn more in our @weforum.org article:
tinyurl.com/zbkespct

🔎Europe's transition to EVs

Together with @theicct.org cct.org & other European think tanks, we’ve published a study on the evolution of EVs in Europe.

This will be presented today in Brussels, bringing together institutions, trade associations & civil society.

👉 Learn more: tinyurl.com/j5xr3kwv

Europe’s deal with Trump risks undermining competitiveness - ECCO On 21 August 2025, the European Union and the United States signed a deal that could mark a turning point in transatlantic relations.

📌Europe’s deal with Trump risks undermining competitiveness & the transition

On 21 August, the EU signed a trade agreement with the US.

Though presented as a move to ensure stability, the deal raises profound concerns about the credibility of the #GreenDeal.

👉Learn more: tinyurl.com/5f4vyvnv

#TeamECCO

🎉September has been an exciting month for ECCO: we are thrilled to welcome Laura Marinelli, our new Researcher in Economics and Statistics!

📚 At ECCO, Laura will focus on the effects of climate policies on economic & financial systems and on society.

Learn more: tinyurl.com/3baswrwh

📌 Carbon credits: risks & opportunities

The EU aims to cut emissions by 90% by 2040.

But using carbon credits for 'flexibility' could increase EU emissions by 30% - unless the credits are based on the standards set in Article 6.4 of the #ParisAgreement.

👉 Learn more: tinyurl.com/drkp69kj

#TeamECCO

🎉We are happy to welcome Valeria Zanini as our new Policy Advisor Climate Diplomacy!

📚Valeria brings strong experience in international policy on climate, energy & finance, and will support ECCO’s strategic analysis of multilateral climate processes.

Learn more: tinyurl.com/3vry6dv2

Yesterday at #ACS2, we hosted "The TeraMed Initiative - Unleashing North Africa's Potential for a 1 TW Mediterranean Future."

✍️ Experts presented the initiative, with ECCO's @giuliagiordano.bsky.social noting its potential to "increase energy security, but also cooperation, security & prosperity."

@ecdpm.org @powershift.bsky.social

This week we are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the Africa Climate Summit #ACS2.

🌎Join us for the official side event: "The #TeraMed Initiative - Unleashing North Africa's Potential for a 1 TW Mediterranean Future." by registering here: tinyurl.com/4hvewc83

👋 See you there!

#TeamECCO

🎉We are happy to welcome @ctrasi.bsky.social as our new Senior Policy Advisor for Industry & Trade!

📚 Cecilia has experience in green industrial policy, clean technology & climate diplomacy, gained through her work in European institutions & think tanks.

Learn more: tinyurl.com/38mm4cnd

🎤Delaying the coal phaseout is “incomprehensible”

On Italy’s plan to keep coal plants in reserve, ECCO's Michele Governatori told Carbon Pulse: “there is already a huge amount of flexible gas power in standby for emergencies, so coal plants are not needed.”

Read the interview: tinyurl.com/ywspef48

The risks of a delayed transition for Algeria - ECCO Algeria stands at a critical stage in its economic trajectory as a top global exporter and Africa’s leading natural gas producer.

🔎The risks of a delayed transition for Algeria

Hydrocarbons make up 90% of exports & 47% of fiscal revenue in Algeria, exposing it to external shocks like the #EnergyTransition.

Without a long-term strategy, it risks stranded assets & declining strategic power.

👉Learn more: tinyurl.com/strke73n

EU–China relations: challenges and opportunities for the transition - ECCO On 24 July, Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa travelled to the Chinese capital for the EU-China Summit.

📌 EU–China relations: challenges and opportunities for the energy transition

On 24 July, leaders met in Beijing for the #EUChina Summit.

Although some progress was made on multilateral climate cooperation, key trade and competitiveness issues remain unresolved.

👉Learn more: tinyurl.com/5n6u6r8j