Energy & Climate

The Heinrich Böll Foundation puts its main emphasis on the areas of global energy and climate policy, i.e. discussions about the opportunities for renewable energy. Our Warsaw office focuses on the presentation and promotion of sustainable, thus long-term, scenarios in the development of the energy sector in Europe, and in particular in Poland. We initiate debates on various energy models considering health, economic and political issues. As well as debates, we deliver knowledge in the form of handbooks and analysis.

Latest articles

Foto: Luftaufnahme eines Schrottplatzes mit zahlreichen Containern, gefüllt mit Metall- und Aluminiumschrott. Stapel und Haufen von recycelbarem Material.

Creating a Globally Fair Circular Economy in the Clean Industrial Deal

Analysis

A new study examines how the transition to a circular economy can be made fair globally. Against this background, we evaluate the Clean Industrial Deal presented by the EU Commission in February 2025.

By Luisa Denter

Stopping Russian aggression means rejecting its fossil fuel exports – and, ultimately, switching to renewables

Article

Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Paul Hockenos compares the efforts of the EU and the US in view of weaning from Russian fossil fuels. On the ground, Ukraine’s transition to distributed renewables already rhymes with resilience against the aggressor.

By Paul Hockenos

The UK has finally committed to carbon capture. But not everyone is happy

Commentary

After years of setbacks, the UK is finally pushing ahead with two carbon capture and storage projects. While there is scepticism about the technology, says Ros Taylor, its supporters argue the cost is justified if the UK means to reach net zero.

By Ros Taylor

Energy

Green Hydrogen: The Future of the Global Energy Transition?

Explainer

What is green hydrogen, and how is it produced? How can it decarbonize industries and transportation? What are its main challenges? How does it compare to blue hydrogen? What impact will it have on the energy transition?

By Karin Jensen

The social impact of energy communities: ten benefits they bring

LISTICLE

Energy communities are a collaborative model that constitutes the perfect vessel for directly involving citizens and local communities in renewable energy facilities. As energy communities can have a strong social impact, they play an important role in society - beyond clean energy production. Here are ten examples of economic, social and environmental benefits of energy communities!

By Óscar Güell Elías

The climate crisis and the war in Ukraine's common denominator: fossil fuels dependence

Commentary

The consequences of the war in Ukraine are palpable even in Bratislava, over a thousand kilometres from the border. Ukrainian is heard more often on the streets, cars with Ukrainian number plates are appearing on the roads, the windows of shops and apartments are festooned with Ukrainian flags, and the city is alive with marches and initiatives in support of Ukraine. The only thing that has remained unaffected is the flow of oil and gas from Russia to Slovakia, and our payments for it.

By Dorota Osvaldová

More about "Energy"

Climate Change

More about "Climate Change"

Energy Transition

UN climate talks could undermine precaution on geoengineering called for by the biodiversity convention

Analysis

UNFCCC negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement risk legitimising dangerous Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) schemes and undermining precautionary work being undertaken in other UN fora.

By Silvia Ribeiro

Überflutete Stadt mit Hochhäusern an einem Fluss. Einige Straßen und Gebäude sind von braunem Wasser bedeckt. Inseln und Brücken im Hintergrund.

Damage caused by climate change: Can the new climate fund deliver what it promises?

Analysis

The new Loss and Damage Fund (FRLD) aims to support climate-vulnerable countries against escalating damages. Despite meeting setup milestones, key questions on funding scale, the operational model, and access policies remain unresolved. Can the FRLD truly deliver?

By Liane Schalatek

The three building blocks for Europe's mobility transition in the next years

Analysis

Carbon emissions from transport will still account for 44% of Europe’s total in 2030. The sector's decarbonisation comes with broad challenges, including industrial transformation to scale new technologies, secure local green jobs, and ramp up new supply chains. Transport & Environment's Julia Poliscanova looks at the building blocks of a successful mobility transition for the next European Commission.

By Julia Poliscanova

More about "Energy Transition"

Publications

Energy Communities and the Legacy of Post-Socialism

The energy and climate crisis is real, and the big fossil fuel companies are dictating the rules of the game. Global warming and Russia's aggression in Ukraine have accelerated the search for safer, cheaper, and greener energy. One option is energy provided by energy communities. In post-communist countries, however, cooperatives have a distinctly negative connotation. The belief that energy should come from big government agencies or fossil fuel companies has created a perception that energy prices are beyond our control. But is this statement true? We explore this and many other questions in the following report.

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The 100% Renewable Energy Action Plan for the European Commission 2024-2029

Policy recommendations

The climate crisis and energy price explosion have made it clear: the EU cannot afford its dependency on fossil fuels anymore. How to deal with these enormous challenges? Our 100% Renewable Action Plan for the European Commission 2024-2029 describes what needs to happen to harvest the benefits of renewables.

pdf

Frontpage of Böll.Thema Cursed Treasures

Böll.Thema 2/23: Cursed Treasures

Global demand for critical and strategic raw materials is on the rise. These resources are indispensable, particularly for the transition to clean energy, but also within other industry sectors. In this issue of our Böll.Thema magazine, we provide insights into recent developments in resource extraction, the associated challenges, and, most importantly, opportunities for positive change.