THE EDIT
Your monthly briefing on the journey to fossil freedom
Issue #34, Europe's energy transition, May 2026
Europe's competitiviness debate is increasingly tied to energy, industry and security. Photo: Adobe Stock
Can Europe stay ahead in the energy transition?
What to know: Europe may be under pressure to keep pace with China and the United States, but for companies like Volvo Group, the energy transition is seen as a competitive advantage. The truck manufacturer was one of the earliest movers in electric heavy vehicles and has spent years building experience in electrification, charging and customer needs. According to Anders Berger at Volvo Group, Europe now has an opportunity to strengthen its industry by accelerating the shift towards fossil-free energy and electrified transport.
Why it matters: The debate around Europe’s competitiveness is increasingly tied to energy, industry and security. While some fear the transition could weaken European industry, companies such as Volvo Group argue the opposite: that reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and investing in electrification is essential for long-term competitiveness.
Photo: Cemvision
Rebuilding the cement business
Cement production accounts for around 8 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, but Swedish company Cemvision believes the industry can be rebuilt from the ground up. By replacing limestone with recycled by-products from the steel industry and using fossil-free energy in production, the company says it can reduce cement's carbon footprint by up to 95 per cent. Backed by partners including Vattenfall, positive tests are already underway.
In its Electricity 2026 report, the International Energy Agency (IEA), says the “Age of Electricity” is taking hold, with global power demand set to grow rapidly through 2030. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol has described the shift as “an important new chapter in the history of energy”, driven by rising electricity use in industry, transport, cooling and data centres.
Why Europe’s emissions trading system matters more than ever
Eric Filipsson, Public & Regulatory Affairs EU at Vattenfall. Photo: Vattenfall
Europe’s emissions trading system, ETS, has become one of the EU’s most important tools for reducing emissions and accelerating electrification. But as energy prices rise and industries face growing pressure, calls are mounting to weaken the system in order to lower costs in the short term. Erik Filipsson, Senior Policy Advisor, Public & Regulatory Affairs EU at Vattenfall, explains why this could undermine investment confidence just as Europe is trying to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
News flash
3 x quick updates from the energy world
Photo: Adobe Stock
First transition conference
In April the first conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels was held in Colombia. Ministers from 57 countries gathered to discuss how to create a joint roadmap for the transition. (www.carbonbrief.org)
Photo: Adobe Stock
Standing tall
Construction of the world’s tallest turbine has started in eastern Germany. When it is completed next summer, the turbine will tower over the Lusatia region, with a planned height of around 400 metres. (www.heise.de/)
Photo: Adobe Stock
Small business, large effect
Every business can contribute to the transition. A new report on small and medium-sized enterprises in South Africa shows that sustainability work by SMEs can have a major impact. (thecoversation.com)
And finally …
The new cool thing!
Cumberland, a town in the Canadian region of British Columbia, was long known as a mining town. Active for 80 years, the mines were finally shut down in the late 1960s. Now, after almost 60 years of abandonment, the mines are being used again – this time as part of a clean energy system, Science Daily reports. In a new project, water buried in the tunnels could be used in a geothermal system to heat and cool buildings.