The European Union in its present-day form is the result of various associations of individual states such as the ECSC and the EEC. These organisations were founded in the 1950s, in part to enable the production and trading of energy under common sets of rules. However, a truly coherent energy policy did not emerge until 2007 when the European Energy Strategy was first adopted. Current challenges include issues such as climate change and energy efficiency, the dependence on fossil fuel imports, the energy transition or the return of the US to fossil fuels.
Energy
The journey from a coal union to the energy transition
Finland’s battery plans spark environmental fears
Finland is the only EU country whose bedrock is known to contain all the major battery minerals, but the prospect of increasing mining in a nation of vast forests and pristine lakes is controversial
Gas finds heighten eastern Med tensions
The discovery in recent years of huge natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has whetted the appetite of nearby countries but strained tensions between Turkey and its neighbours
After US boost, Greece looks for EU backing on Turkey talks
Greece looks for EU support this week in tough upcoming talks with Turkey over maritime borders and energy exploration after securing a diplomatic boost from the visiting US secretary of state
Aviation, autos and other virus victims
What has been the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation, retail and automobile sectors? A recap of some major casualties amid layoffs, bankruptcies and rescue plans
EU hobbled over Navalny sanctions response
European countries have threatened sanctions on Russia over the alleged nerve agent attack on Alexei Navalny, but a concerted decision will be tough to reach given the interests at stake
Turkey’s bid to become maritime powerhouse unsettles Mediterranean
Turkey's push into the Mediterranean featuring gas drilling, tough rhetoric and warships is rooted in a vision of a "Blue Homeland" that targets waters claimed by EU neighbours