Ben McWilliams
@bmcwilliams.bsky.social
Affiliate Fellow, studying issues concerning all things (European) energy, climate and clean tech at the Bruegel think tank.
📎 The case for delaying the application of the EU’s carbon border levy to electricity.
We argue that the inclusion of electricity in CBAM creates more problems than it solves; ways should be found to exempt it
@gzachmann.bsky.social and Rouven Stubbe
@bruegel.org
www.bruegel.org/analysis/cas...
We argue that the inclusion of electricity in CBAM creates more problems than it solves; ways should be found to exempt it
@gzachmann.bsky.social and Rouven Stubbe
@bruegel.org
www.bruegel.org/analysis/cas...
November 20, 2025 at 9:43 AM
📎 The case for delaying the application of the EU’s carbon border levy to electricity.
We argue that the inclusion of electricity in CBAM creates more problems than it solves; ways should be found to exempt it
@gzachmann.bsky.social and Rouven Stubbe
@bruegel.org
www.bruegel.org/analysis/cas...
We argue that the inclusion of electricity in CBAM creates more problems than it solves; ways should be found to exempt it
@gzachmann.bsky.social and Rouven Stubbe
@bruegel.org
www.bruegel.org/analysis/cas...
🆕 〽️ A dramatic drop in monthly EU clean-tech exports to the US
🤝 This drop follows the trade deal signed by the EU and US in August which increases tariffs on EU exports
Explore European trade in clean tech here - european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
🤝 This drop follows the trade deal signed by the EU and US in August which increases tariffs on EU exports
Explore European trade in clean tech here - european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
November 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
🆕 〽️ A dramatic drop in monthly EU clean-tech exports to the US
🤝 This drop follows the trade deal signed by the EU and US in August which increases tariffs on EU exports
Explore European trade in clean tech here - european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
🤝 This drop follows the trade deal signed by the EU and US in August which increases tariffs on EU exports
Explore European trade in clean tech here - european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
Europe lives an housing affordability crisis. As argued by my colleague @keliauskaite.bsky.social, the EU can help tackle it by reducing energy costs, decarbonising buildings and adhering to climate goals.
www.bruegel.org/analysis/sol...
www.bruegel.org/analysis/sol...
The solution to Europe’s housing affordability crisis must include building decarbonisation
The EU can help tackle Europe’s housing crisis by reducing energy costs, decarbonising buildings and adhering to climate goals
www.bruegel.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Europe lives an housing affordability crisis. As argued by my colleague @keliauskaite.bsky.social, the EU can help tackle it by reducing energy costs, decarbonising buildings and adhering to climate goals.
www.bruegel.org/analysis/sol...
www.bruegel.org/analysis/sol...
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
The thing that amazes me most about this figure is not the progress that we made from the blue line "where we were going", but that everyone seems to be having heart failure that the IEA made a scenario where emissions are flat, instead of falling 20% in 25 years...
www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
November 14, 2025 at 8:51 AM
The thing that amazes me most about this figure is not the progress that we made from the blue line "where we were going", but that everyone seems to be having heart failure that the IEA made a scenario where emissions are flat, instead of falling 20% in 25 years...
www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
🌎 From Paris to Belém .. as European leaders head to COP this week it is worth taking a step back
Europe's electricity system has transformed since 2015 with two-thirds generation now clean 👇
🚗 🏠 🏭 Electrification is the next big challenge
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/dep...
Europe's electricity system has transformed since 2015 with two-thirds generation now clean 👇
🚗 🏠 🏭 Electrification is the next big challenge
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/dep...
November 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
🌎 From Paris to Belém .. as European leaders head to COP this week it is worth taking a step back
Europe's electricity system has transformed since 2015 with two-thirds generation now clean 👇
🚗 🏠 🏭 Electrification is the next big challenge
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/dep...
Europe's electricity system has transformed since 2015 with two-thirds generation now clean 👇
🚗 🏠 🏭 Electrification is the next big challenge
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/dep...
🇵🇱 Polish electric vehicle growth is impressive
Earlier this year, the Polish government passed a subsidy scheme of up to 40,000 zloty (€9,500 ish) for the purchase of new electric vehicles
📈 Pure BEV sales up from 2% to 10% & rapidly approaching EU average
tinyurl.com/yj4kfydu
Earlier this year, the Polish government passed a subsidy scheme of up to 40,000 zloty (€9,500 ish) for the purchase of new electric vehicles
📈 Pure BEV sales up from 2% to 10% & rapidly approaching EU average
tinyurl.com/yj4kfydu
November 6, 2025 at 9:32 AM
🇵🇱 Polish electric vehicle growth is impressive
Earlier this year, the Polish government passed a subsidy scheme of up to 40,000 zloty (€9,500 ish) for the purchase of new electric vehicles
📈 Pure BEV sales up from 2% to 10% & rapidly approaching EU average
tinyurl.com/yj4kfydu
Earlier this year, the Polish government passed a subsidy scheme of up to 40,000 zloty (€9,500 ish) for the purchase of new electric vehicles
📈 Pure BEV sales up from 2% to 10% & rapidly approaching EU average
tinyurl.com/yj4kfydu
Historically high imports of American (US) LNG imports landed in the EU during October 2025
🔢 dataset updated as always by @keliauskaite.bsky.social
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
🔢 dataset updated as always by @keliauskaite.bsky.social
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
November 6, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Historically high imports of American (US) LNG imports landed in the EU during October 2025
🔢 dataset updated as always by @keliauskaite.bsky.social
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
🔢 dataset updated as always by @keliauskaite.bsky.social
www.bruegel.org/dataset/euro...
🆕 📆 September 2025 - EU sets new record for electric vehicle registrations
🔵 29% of newly registered vehicles were electric, previous record was 28% in August 2023
🇩🇰🇸🇪🇫🇮🇳🇱 are out in front
🇪🇸🇱🇻🇵🇱🇵🇹 are accelerating quickly
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/e...
🔵 29% of newly registered vehicles were electric, previous record was 28% in August 2023
🇩🇰🇸🇪🇫🇮🇳🇱 are out in front
🇪🇸🇱🇻🇵🇱🇵🇹 are accelerating quickly
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/e...
November 4, 2025 at 10:12 AM
🆕 📆 September 2025 - EU sets new record for electric vehicle registrations
🔵 29% of newly registered vehicles were electric, previous record was 28% in August 2023
🇩🇰🇸🇪🇫🇮🇳🇱 are out in front
🇪🇸🇱🇻🇵🇱🇵🇹 are accelerating quickly
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/e...
🔵 29% of newly registered vehicles were electric, previous record was 28% in August 2023
🇩🇰🇸🇪🇫🇮🇳🇱 are out in front
🇪🇸🇱🇻🇵🇱🇵🇹 are accelerating quickly
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/e...
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
Australia to introduce power cuts... no, wait, free power for 3 hours a day, as the solar boom has reached its, what's the new word?, abundance phase.
HT @volts.wtf www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
HT @volts.wtf www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Australian households to get free electricity three hours a day
Saying there is enough solar power for everyone in the daytime, the federal government will direct retailers to provide three hours of free power every day to consumers.
www.abc.net.au
November 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Australia to introduce power cuts... no, wait, free power for 3 hours a day, as the solar boom has reached its, what's the new word?, abundance phase.
HT @volts.wtf www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
HT @volts.wtf www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
🔔 UPDATED: Russian foreign trade tracker
⛽ Fuel exports to Brazil dropped sharply due to refinery attacks & diesel export bans, but have been offset by crude exports to China/India.
🔗 www.bruegel.org/dataset/russ...
🖊️ Madalena Barata Da Rocha, @zsoltdarvas.bsky.social and Marie-Sophie Lappe
⛽ Fuel exports to Brazil dropped sharply due to refinery attacks & diesel export bans, but have been offset by crude exports to China/India.
🔗 www.bruegel.org/dataset/russ...
🖊️ Madalena Barata Da Rocha, @zsoltdarvas.bsky.social and Marie-Sophie Lappe
October 29, 2025 at 10:13 AM
🔔 UPDATED: Russian foreign trade tracker
⛽ Fuel exports to Brazil dropped sharply due to refinery attacks & diesel export bans, but have been offset by crude exports to China/India.
🔗 www.bruegel.org/dataset/russ...
🖊️ Madalena Barata Da Rocha, @zsoltdarvas.bsky.social and Marie-Sophie Lappe
⛽ Fuel exports to Brazil dropped sharply due to refinery attacks & diesel export bans, but have been offset by crude exports to China/India.
🔗 www.bruegel.org/dataset/russ...
🖊️ Madalena Barata Da Rocha, @zsoltdarvas.bsky.social and Marie-Sophie Lappe
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
Rolling back clean energy policies to “save” European industry will backfire. It may seem attractive in the short term, but it’s poor industrial policy in the long run.
Standing still on climate policy undermines competitiveness. Industry needs stability and long-term direction, not uncertainty.
Standing still on climate policy undermines competitiveness. Industry needs stability and long-term direction, not uncertainty.
October 28, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Rolling back clean energy policies to “save” European industry will backfire. It may seem attractive in the short term, but it’s poor industrial policy in the long run.
Standing still on climate policy undermines competitiveness. Industry needs stability and long-term direction, not uncertainty.
Standing still on climate policy undermines competitiveness. Industry needs stability and long-term direction, not uncertainty.
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
Chinese automakers aren’t huge in Europe yet, but they’re rising fast:
🇨🇳 BYD holds a 1.22% market share across 31 European countries.
🇨🇳 MG (SAIC) follows with 2.3%.
1/2
🇨🇳 BYD holds a 1.22% market share across 31 European countries.
🇨🇳 MG (SAIC) follows with 2.3%.
1/2
October 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Chinese automakers aren’t huge in Europe yet, but they’re rising fast:
🇨🇳 BYD holds a 1.22% market share across 31 European countries.
🇨🇳 MG (SAIC) follows with 2.3%.
1/2
🇨🇳 BYD holds a 1.22% market share across 31 European countries.
🇨🇳 MG (SAIC) follows with 2.3%.
1/2
Last year, the EU imported *€90 billion* in clean tech products.
This compares to exports of €83 billion, meaning the EU currently runs a modest net import position.
Data available with breakdowns per product category and trading partner 👇
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
This compares to exports of €83 billion, meaning the EU currently runs a modest net import position.
Data available with breakdowns per product category and trading partner 👇
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
October 28, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Last year, the EU imported *€90 billion* in clean tech products.
This compares to exports of €83 billion, meaning the EU currently runs a modest net import position.
Data available with breakdowns per product category and trading partner 👇
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
This compares to exports of €83 billion, meaning the EU currently runs a modest net import position.
Data available with breakdowns per product category and trading partner 👇
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
🇬🇧 A decade of UK electricity transformation
📉 A 110 TWh drop in fossil fuel output (equivalent to one-third 2014 demand)
🟢 50% met by growth in renewables
🔴 50% met by reduction in electricity demand
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/dep...
📉 A 110 TWh drop in fossil fuel output (equivalent to one-third 2014 demand)
🟢 50% met by growth in renewables
🔴 50% met by reduction in electricity demand
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/dep...
October 27, 2025 at 1:27 PM
🇬🇧 A decade of UK electricity transformation
📉 A 110 TWh drop in fossil fuel output (equivalent to one-third 2014 demand)
🟢 50% met by growth in renewables
🔴 50% met by reduction in electricity demand
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/dep...
📉 A 110 TWh drop in fossil fuel output (equivalent to one-third 2014 demand)
🟢 50% met by growth in renewables
🔴 50% met by reduction in electricity demand
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/dep...
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
So, the German IES is not a big competitiveness threat. But is it perhaps still a good tool for other member states to introduce? The answer is, quite simply: No.
Why? ➡️ They help climate (a little), but have limited benefits for the economy and resilience: (11/23)
Why? ➡️ They help climate (a little), but have limited benefits for the economy and resilience: (11/23)
October 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
So, the German IES is not a big competitiveness threat. But is it perhaps still a good tool for other member states to introduce? The answer is, quite simply: No.
Why? ➡️ They help climate (a little), but have limited benefits for the economy and resilience: (11/23)
Why? ➡️ They help climate (a little), but have limited benefits for the economy and resilience: (11/23)
📈 In 2022, as natural gas prices soared households rushed to buy heat pumps
✅ Good news for decarbonisation & energy security
⏩ Fast forward to 2024 and sales slowed
A key metric to monitor - european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/h... - ahead of ETS-2 introduction in 2027
✅ Good news for decarbonisation & energy security
⏩ Fast forward to 2024 and sales slowed
A key metric to monitor - european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/h... - ahead of ETS-2 introduction in 2027
October 21, 2025 at 10:09 AM
📈 In 2022, as natural gas prices soared households rushed to buy heat pumps
✅ Good news for decarbonisation & energy security
⏩ Fast forward to 2024 and sales slowed
A key metric to monitor - european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/h... - ahead of ETS-2 introduction in 2027
✅ Good news for decarbonisation & energy security
⏩ Fast forward to 2024 and sales slowed
A key metric to monitor - european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/h... - ahead of ETS-2 introduction in 2027
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
Energy transitions don't happen everywhere all at once. They happen sector by sector, place by place. Pointing out that some sectors and places are not advancing yet does not negate that others have come a long way.
Here are the Nordics - heat pump roll-out replaced fossil fuels reducing emissions.
Here are the Nordics - heat pump roll-out replaced fossil fuels reducing emissions.
October 20, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Energy transitions don't happen everywhere all at once. They happen sector by sector, place by place. Pointing out that some sectors and places are not advancing yet does not negate that others have come a long way.
Here are the Nordics - heat pump roll-out replaced fossil fuels reducing emissions.
Here are the Nordics - heat pump roll-out replaced fossil fuels reducing emissions.
Reposted by Ben McWilliams
Trump admin: Neoliberalism has failed. We must defend American workers by imposing much higher burdens on international trade
International Maritime Organization: You will love our new fee scheme to encourage net-zero global shipping, then
Trump: NOT LIKE THAT heatmap.news/climate-tech...
International Maritime Organization: You will love our new fee scheme to encourage net-zero global shipping, then
Trump: NOT LIKE THAT heatmap.news/climate-tech...
Trump Just Torpedoed Investors’ Big Bets on Decarbonizing Shipping
The delayed vote on a net-zero standard for the International Maritime Organization throws some of the industry’s grandest plans into chaos.
heatmap.news
October 17, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Trump admin: Neoliberalism has failed. We must defend American workers by imposing much higher burdens on international trade
International Maritime Organization: You will love our new fee scheme to encourage net-zero global shipping, then
Trump: NOT LIKE THAT heatmap.news/climate-tech...
International Maritime Organization: You will love our new fee scheme to encourage net-zero global shipping, then
Trump: NOT LIKE THAT heatmap.news/climate-tech...
🇭🇺 Hungary leads European solar deployment
In 2024, one-quarter of all electricity generation in Hungary came from solar.
⚡This has been a rapid transition. One decade ago, the solar share was 0%.
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/geography
In 2024, one-quarter of all electricity generation in Hungary came from solar.
⚡This has been a rapid transition. One decade ago, the solar share was 0%.
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/geography
October 16, 2025 at 11:54 AM
🇭🇺 Hungary leads European solar deployment
In 2024, one-quarter of all electricity generation in Hungary came from solar.
⚡This has been a rapid transition. One decade ago, the solar share was 0%.
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/geography
In 2024, one-quarter of all electricity generation in Hungary came from solar.
⚡This has been a rapid transition. One decade ago, the solar share was 0%.
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/geography
🗣️ A pleasure chatting with @maxbergmann.bsky.social and @donatienneruy.bsky.social on the state of play for European climate policy.
🎧 On the #Eurofile: Czech election results, European security, and a climate agenda under pressure.
@donatienneruy.bsky.social & @maxbergmann.bsky.social break down the latest on EU climate and energy policy with @bmcwilliams.bsky.social.
Tune in below.
www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
@donatienneruy.bsky.social & @maxbergmann.bsky.social break down the latest on EU climate and energy policy with @bmcwilliams.bsky.social.
Tune in below.
www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
Is Europe Abandoning Its Climate Agenda? | The Eurofile | CSIS Podcasts
Max and Donatienne discuss the recent Czech parliamentary election and last week’s informal European Council summit in Copenhagen before turning to a conversation with Ben McWilliams to discuss the Eu...
www.csis.org
October 15, 2025 at 8:36 AM
🗣️ A pleasure chatting with @maxbergmann.bsky.social and @donatienneruy.bsky.social on the state of play for European climate policy.
🇪🇺 Last year the EU exported *€80 billion* clean tech products.
The @bruegel.org European Clean Tech Tracker contains a dedicated trade section where you can break these flows down for yourself 👇
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
The @bruegel.org European Clean Tech Tracker contains a dedicated trade section where you can break these flows down for yourself 👇
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
October 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
🇪🇺 Last year the EU exported *€80 billion* clean tech products.
The @bruegel.org European Clean Tech Tracker contains a dedicated trade section where you can break these flows down for yourself 👇
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
The @bruegel.org European Clean Tech Tracker contains a dedicated trade section where you can break these flows down for yourself 👇
european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/overview/trade
The EU's Clean Industrial Deal hopes to marry competitiveness with decarbonisation.
With @tagliapietra.bsky.social we outline 4 priorities over the next 12 months incl:
🔴 Public funding & ETS reform
🔴 Green lead markets including public procurement
🔴 International balance
tinyurl.com/2fpdn83h
With @tagliapietra.bsky.social we outline 4 priorities over the next 12 months incl:
🔴 Public funding & ETS reform
🔴 Green lead markets including public procurement
🔴 International balance
tinyurl.com/2fpdn83h
Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal: four priorities to fulfil its promise
The Clean Industrial Deal presents an opportunity for Europe, but quick action is needed on four priorities to deliver its goals
tinyurl.com
October 13, 2025 at 11:20 AM
The EU's Clean Industrial Deal hopes to marry competitiveness with decarbonisation.
With @tagliapietra.bsky.social we outline 4 priorities over the next 12 months incl:
🔴 Public funding & ETS reform
🔴 Green lead markets including public procurement
🔴 International balance
tinyurl.com/2fpdn83h
With @tagliapietra.bsky.social we outline 4 priorities over the next 12 months incl:
🔴 Public funding & ETS reform
🔴 Green lead markets including public procurement
🔴 International balance
tinyurl.com/2fpdn83h
Italian lobbying to weaken emissions regulation in the automotive sector somewhat makes sense, but with booming EV exports (€54 billion last year) and a steadily growing domestic market, I find the German position harder to understand?
October 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Italian lobbying to weaken emissions regulation in the automotive sector somewhat makes sense, but with booming EV exports (€54 billion last year) and a steadily growing domestic market, I find the German position harder to understand?
Electric vehicle registrations soar across Europe 🚗⚡️
🆕 EV share of car registrations is 28% in August 2025
🥈 Second highest month on record
Growth even more impressive in the UK reaching 38%.
Interactive dataset here 👉 european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/e...
🆕 EV share of car registrations is 28% in August 2025
🥈 Second highest month on record
Growth even more impressive in the UK reaching 38%.
Interactive dataset here 👉 european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/e...
October 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Electric vehicle registrations soar across Europe 🚗⚡️
🆕 EV share of car registrations is 28% in August 2025
🥈 Second highest month on record
Growth even more impressive in the UK reaching 38%.
Interactive dataset here 👉 european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/e...
🆕 EV share of car registrations is 28% in August 2025
🥈 Second highest month on record
Growth even more impressive in the UK reaching 38%.
Interactive dataset here 👉 european-clean-tech-tracker.bruegel.org/technology/e...
🧑🤝🧑 Clean tech employment data are hard to estimate but crucial to understand.
Thanks to work by @prognos.com we include them in our Tracker tinyurl.com/bdm3e96n
👉 One stand-out message. The EU mid-2010s tariffs on solar panels hurt employment. Solar jobs are in installation not manufacturing.
Thanks to work by @prognos.com we include them in our Tracker tinyurl.com/bdm3e96n
👉 One stand-out message. The EU mid-2010s tariffs on solar panels hurt employment. Solar jobs are in installation not manufacturing.
October 6, 2025 at 7:38 AM
🧑🤝🧑 Clean tech employment data are hard to estimate but crucial to understand.
Thanks to work by @prognos.com we include them in our Tracker tinyurl.com/bdm3e96n
👉 One stand-out message. The EU mid-2010s tariffs on solar panels hurt employment. Solar jobs are in installation not manufacturing.
Thanks to work by @prognos.com we include them in our Tracker tinyurl.com/bdm3e96n
👉 One stand-out message. The EU mid-2010s tariffs on solar panels hurt employment. Solar jobs are in installation not manufacturing.