Critical minerals: between new dependencies, narratives and cooperation - ECCO The value chains of critical minerals and the technologies that depend on them are at the heart of global dynamics.

Learn more:
eccoclimate.org/critical-min...

📌Critical minerals: new dependencies, narratives and cooperation

High concentration in #criticalmineral markets makes value chains more vulnerable to shocks & weaponisation.

Promoting a more diversified global supply is therefore key to reducing demand-side risks while supporting the transition👇

Coal-fired power plants: extending the phase-out to 2038 risks being ineffective and costly The Energy Bills Decree risks failing to effectively reduce electricity costs. Extend Italy’s coal phase-out to 2038.

👉 Read the analysis by Francesca Andreolli:

eccoclimate.org/coal-fired-p...

‼️How much coal does Italy use?

The debate over extending Italy's #coal phase-out to 2038 assumes it will lower energy prices.

Yet the figures show that Italy's coal share is minimal & keeping the plants running is costly.

The key issue remains gas dependence, which continues to drive prices.

Critical minerals: between new dependencies, narratives and cooperation - ECCO The value chains of critical minerals and the technologies that depend on them are at the heart of global dynamics.

🔎Critical minerals: new dependencies, narratives & cooperation

Critical minerals can become a space for industrial and technological cooperation across global value chains.

But how can this cooperation be fostered? And what role should #Europe play?

Learn more👇
tinyurl.com/w7y9vv78

Italy could replace Qatari LNG in one year with renewables and energy efficiency - ECCO Within twelve months, Italy could replace over 85% of its demand for Qatari gas through renewables, energy efficiency and electrification.

Read the report by Francesca Andreolli and Giulia Signorelli 👇

eccoclimate.org/italy-could-...

❗Is it possible to replace Qatari gas without other gas? Yes.

Damage to infrastructure in #Qatar is reducing LNG exports to global markets, making energy security a priority.

Our analysis shows that Italy could phase-out Qatari LNG in a year through renewables, energy efficiency & electrification.

European Council: renewables are the structural solution to high energy prices - ECCO The Council recognised the need for short-term action, calling on the Commission to present a set of measures to address energy costs.

Read the full press release on our website 👇

eccoclimate.org/european-cou...

🗣️With regards to Italy's Energy Bills Decree: “If it is not amended to incorporate the recommendations from Brussels – namely a reduction in the tax burden and charges on bills – it will fail to provide solutions to the crisis, with serious economic consequences for households and businesses”

🗣️“For Italy,” continues Leonardi, “it is important to highlight the Council’s determination not to suspend the #ETS mechanism, which has been confirmed as a central tool of European transition policies and for which a review is already scheduled in July.”

🗣️“The outcome of the Council is positive. Brussels has confirmed that emergency measures must be aligned with the European Union’s energy security strategy, through renewables and investments capable of restoring Europe’s competitiveness,” says Matteo Leonardi, ECCO's Co-founding Executive Director.

❗Comment on the European Council of 19 March 👇

The energy transition, and in particular the development of renewables, remains the most effective strategy for Europe’s strategic autonomy.

This is the main takeaway from the conclusions of the #EuropeanCouncil meeting held on 19 March in Brussels.

A green golden rule to help Europe face its energy and climate crises - ECCO The term green golden rule refers to the possibility of granting special status to public spending on investments in the transition.

➡️The #greengoldenrule grants special status to such investment, exempting it from European budgetary rules.

This allows such investments to be treated as ‘good’ debt, as they strengthen growth, resilience and long-term sustainability.

Read the analysis by Caterina Molinari 👇
tinyurl.com/49cpcaf9

📌A green golden rule to help Europe face its energy and climate crises

The #energytransition requires public investment on a scale that current European fiscal rules struggle to accommodate – around €660 billion per year between 2026–2030.

How much revenue does ETS generate in Italy and how is it used? - ECCO With the recent Energy Bills Decree, the Italian Government has introduced a mechanism aimed at neutralising the cost of ETS.

👉Learn more: tinyurl.com/mvzysny9

🔎How are ETS revenues used – if at all?

In Italy, #ETS auctions generated around €18 billion between 2012 and 2014, yet only 9% was spent on climate policies and the transition.

This means one of Europe’s key financial levers for the energy transition remains largely unused.

Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz: gas, energy prices and European strategic autonomy - ECCO The US and Israeli attack on Iran and the resulting blockade of the Strait of Hormuz once again highlight Europe's structural vulnerability.

👉Learn more: eccoclimate.org/crisis-in-th...

📊Gas price surge drives up bills

The higher the share of electricity generated from gas, the greater the exposure of energy bills to geopolitical shocks.

ECCO’s new report analyses the impact of the Hormuz crisis, showing how dependence on fossil fuels exposes Europe to geopolitical volatility.

📃Press release in response to Giorgia Meloni's speech in Parliament

Following Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s speech in Parliament yesterday on the energy crisis linked to the war in Iran, we raised concerns about the proposal to suspend #ETS.

👉 Read the full press release: tinyurl.com/44p9v6un

Progressing the Transition Away From Fossil Fuels This paper focuses on the practical question of how to design effective roadmaps for transitioning away from fossil fuels—at both global and national levels.

➡️Read the full report: www.iisd.org/publications...

🔎The transition away from fossil fuels

Over 80 countries backed a roadmap to transition away from #fossilfuels at COP30.

Ahead of the Santa Marta Conference, research by ECCO, @energy.iisd.org, @e3g.bsky.social, @sefiaorg.bsky.social and @obsclima.bsky.social outlines 5️⃣ tests a roadmap must pass👇

Towards COP31: solutions for planning the transition away from fossil fuels  - ECCO The start of 2026 has once again shown how the dependence on fossil fuels remains closely linked to geopolitical instability.

➡️In this context, ECCO, together with @energy.iisd.org, @e3g.bsky.social, @sefiaorg.bsky.social and @obsclima.bsky.social has published new research for planning the transition away from fossil fuels.

Learn more 👇
tinyurl.com/d9s26mm4

📌Towards COP31: the transition away from fossil fuels

2026 has shown how dependence on #fossilfuels remains tied to geopolitical instability.

From the intervention in Venezuela to increasingly assertive US energy diplomacy, international tensions continue to revolve around energy resources.

More than 80 countries backed a 🌎 roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels at COP30.

With gov'ts gathering next month in Santa Marta to discuss next steps, 🆕 analysis outlines what plans need to be credible ➕ how countries are already taking action.

New Report: www.iisd.org/publications...

Italy’s Energy Bills Decree will fail to cut bills while slowing renewables investment - ECCO The Italian Government’s Energy Bills Decree aims to lower electricity prices, which are among the highest in Europe.

Read our analysis here👇

eccoclimate.org/italys-energ...

@lucaberga.bsky.social

➡️Accelerate renewables deployment with clear auction schedules, firm timelines and removal of authorisation bottlenecks

➡️Engage actively in EU electricity market reform rather than unilateral interventions that fragment the internal market and weaken Italy's hand in Brussels

➡️Reform hydroelectric concessions to recover windfall profits from plants benefiting from high ETS-driven power prices

➡️Redirect environmentally harmful subsidies – generating ~€550m in 2026 and ~€2.6bn through to 2033

➡️Reduce electricity levies using ETS auction revenues (~€4bn) – removing charges worth 10% of household bills and 20% of SME bills

➡️Protect and strengthen PPAs with improved public guarantee mechanisms and full protection of existing contracts from retroactive change

The resources for a real solution already exist.

Italy could deploy over €10 billion in available fiscal revenues to cut bills structurally.

How? Key leavers include:

In 2024, gas was marginal just 61.4% of the time. As Italy scales renewables toward 69% of generation by 2030, that share – and projected savings – are likely to shrink further.

Meanwhile, the measure clouds the investment outlook for renewables & storage, raising costs & slowing deployment.