Share this on social media
Energy price crunch risks derailing UN climate talks, Iberdrola warns
(EurActiv, 4 Oct 2021) The current hike in energy prices is threatening to overshadow the COP26 climate summit this November as countries scramble to tackle the rising costs of electricity, oil and gas, warned a senior executive at Spanish power firm Iberdrola.
As the world reopens after the COVID-19 pandemic, the sudden high demand for gas, conflated by other factors, has caused a spike in energy prices.
But policies brought in by European governments to try and tackle the soaring prices risk looking hypocritical in light of the climate ambition they are demanding from the rest of the world at the COP26 summit.
Spain, for instance, has capped gas prices and cut taxes in order to help alleviate some of the strain.
“Despite the positive perspective for the energy transition at the EU level, soaring energy prices could jeopardise EU climate action,” said Gonzalo Sáenz de Miera, director of climate change and alliances at Iberdrola, the Spanish multinational electricity company.
“This situation is threatening the case for a rapid shift to clean energy sources by some measures recently passed by some EU member states,” he told a EURACTIV event on Thursday (30 September), supported by Iberdrola.
External link
EurActiv, 4 Oct 2021: Energy price crunch risks derailing UN climate talks, Iberdrola warns
More Related News
Cop26
21 Dec 2021: How the Glasgow Dialogue can deliver finance for victims of the climate crisis
20 Dec 2021: Three ways the Glasgow joint declaration can accelerate US–China climate cooperation
13 Dec 2021: Who will be the judge of countries’ climate plans?
3 Dec 2021: Green business after COP26
2 Dec 2021: UK must ‘walk the talk’ on climate action, say official advisers
2 Dec 2021: Renewable energy has ‘another record year of growth’ says IEA
23 Nov 2021: The street and the boardroom are closer than they have ever been on climate
22 Nov 2021: Nigeria commits to annual carbon budgets to reach net zero under climate law
18 Nov 2021: ANALYSIS-Coal power stand at COP26 climate talks lends India time to transition
18 Nov 2021: Climate-vulnerable nations call for help forcing high emitters to act
16 Nov 2021: Deliver on EU's Cop26 promises? Quick phase out of fluorescent lighting can help
16 Nov 2021: Rights groups warn COP26 rules on carbon markets leave indigenous people exposed
16 Nov 2021: To defend fragile 1.5C goal, Glasgow Climate Pact must get results - fast
15 Nov 2021: Five big loopholes show COP 26 failing to curb fossil fuel extraction
15 Nov 2021: Empty words, no action: Cop26 has failed First Nations people
15 Nov 2021: Ratchets, phase-downs and a fragile agreement: how Cop26 played out
15 Nov 2021: India criticised over coal at Cop26 – but real villain was climate injustice
15 Nov 2021: ‘A step in the right direction’: EU reacts to COP26 deal
12 Nov 2021: Five EU countries form anti-nuclear alliance at COP26
12 Nov 2021: The promises and pitfalls of India’s plan for a global grid
11 Nov 2021: A space is opening to discuss oil and gas exit at Cop26. Lobbyists are pushing back
11 Nov 2021: US-China climate deal buoys COP26 summit - but not a 'turning point'
11 Nov 2021: Countries, cities, carmakers commit to end fossil-fuel vehicles by 2040
9 Nov 2021: Climate misinformation running high on Facebook, says report
8 Nov 2021: COP26 carbon-market talks 'difficult'—but hopes for breakthrough, says Norway minister
8 Nov 2021: Tuvalu minister stands in sea to film COP26 speech to show climate change
8 Nov 2021: From Chile and Taiwan via Glasgow, youth call for climate justice
8 Nov 2021: China calls for concrete action not distant targets in last week of Cop26
8 Nov 2021: Cop26 legitimacy questioned as groups excluded from crucial talks
8 Nov 2021: Focus turns to climate finance after flurry of COP26 pledges
5 Nov 2021: Canada, US, Italy among 20 countries to stop financing fossil fuels internationally
5 Nov 2021: India, Indonesia and Philippines join coal transition programme
5 Nov 2021: COP26 pledges could limit warming to 1.8C, says energy agency boss
4 Nov 2021: Cop26 will be derailed unless the rich world meets its obligation to the poor
4 Nov 2021: Beyond net zero by 2070: India’s new climate pledges explained
4 Nov 2021: ‘Put a price on carbon, nature cannot pay,’ EU’s von der Leyen tells COP26
2 Nov 2021: Optimism for Cop26: we must win the climate battle – and we absolutely can
2 Nov 2021: Over 100 global leaders pledge to end deforestation by 2030
2 Nov 2021: Nearly 90 countries join pact to slash planet-warming methane emissions
2 Nov 2021: India energizes COP 26 by pledging 50% renewables by 2030, net-zero emissions by 2070
2 Nov 2021: Indigenous peoples to get $1.7bn in recognition of role in protecting forests
2 Nov 2021: Vulnerable countries issue urgent calls to action as big emitters drag their heels
1 Nov 2021: Cop26: Biden urges action on climate change and vows US will ‘lead by example'
1 Nov 2021: How we as European climate envoys are backing action on adaptation finance
1 Nov 2021: Global climate talks open to cries of betrayal, blame
29 Oct 2021: Yes it’s expensive, but failing to meet climate challenge will cost a lot more
29 Oct 2021: Europe lays out battle plan for COP26 climate summit
29 Oct 2021: The make-or-break climate summit: here’s what’s at stake at Cop26
29 Oct 2021: China submits updated climate pledges to United Nations
28 Oct 2021: EU to launch COP26 project with South Africa to speed up coal exit
28 Oct 2021: Biden plan pledges ‘largest effort to combat climate change in US history’
27 Oct 2021: ‘Chess game’ as negotiators seek elusive carbon market deal at Cop26
27 Oct 2021: China issues plan to hit carbon emission peak before 2030
26 Oct 2021: Australia adopts target of net zero emissions by 2050 but won't legislate goal
26 Oct 2021: Saudi pledges net zero by 2060, but no oil exit plan
25 Oct 2021: China, India and Brazil must set out their plans to cut emissions
25 Oct 2021: What is COP26? This year’s critical climate talks, explained
25 Oct 2021: Key moments from decades of climate conferences
25 Oct 2021: Climate crisis: greenhouse gas levels hit new record despite lockdowns, UN reports
21 Oct 2021: Emerging economies slam Cop26 net zero push as ‘anti-equity’
21 Oct 2021: Russia says Putin won't fly to Glasgow, in blow for climate talks
21 Oct 2021: There are no real climate leaders yet – who will step up at Cop26?
18 Oct 2021: Climate change a double blow for oil-rich Mideast, experts say
18 Oct 2021: Cop26 corporate sponsors condemn climate summit as ‘mismanaged’
18 Oct 2021: Coal-state Democrat set to scupper Biden clean energy plans
14 Oct 2021: Heat rises on donor countries to meet overdue $100bn climate finance promise
12 Oct 2021: Cement makers across world pledge large cut in emissions by 2030
12 Oct 2021: World leaders urged to consider health benefits of climate action
11 Oct 2021: What is Cop26 and why does it matter? The complete guide
11 Oct 2021: Cop26: world poised for big leap forward on climate crisis, says John Kerry
8 Oct 2021: We need more, EU and U.S. urge China ahead of climate summit
7 Oct 2021: Can carbon's price finally match its value at COP26?
7 Oct 2021: EU to back five-year targets at COP26 climate talks
6 Oct 2021: Russia considering more ambitious climate targets
5 Oct 2021: Historical climate emissions reveal responsibility of big polluting nations
4 Oct 2021: Cop26 must urgently get specific on carbon removal in net-zero pathways
4 Oct 2021: Pope, other religious leaders, issue pre-COP26 appeal on climate change
4 Oct 2021: UK seeks alliance to end public finance for coal, oil and gas projects overseas
1 Oct 2021: Comprehensive report makes climate change research accessible ahead of COP26
1 Oct 2021: Rich nations must commit more than $100 billion in climate fight, says India
30 Sep 2021: EU, Britain urge Russia to commit to net zero CO2 emissions
30 Sep 2021: Cutting methane should be a key Cop26 aim, research suggests
27 Sep 2021: Cop26: Women must be heard on climate, say rights groups
27 Sep 2021: Cop26 climate talks will not fulfil aims of Paris agreement, key players warn
23 Sep 2021: South Africa adopts more ambitious emissions target before climate summit
23 Sep 2021: EU countries struggle to agree approach to COP26 climate talks
21 Sep 2021: Climate crisis: history will judge failure to act, Johnson says at UN
20 Sep 2021: Global methane pledge offers hope on climate in lead up to Glasgow
20 Sep 2021: UK's COP26 chief says ball in China's court on making it a success
16 Sep 2021: Where is the money? Climate finance shortfall threatens global warming goals
16 Sep 2021: Climate experts fear Aukus will dash hopes of China emissions deal
16 Sep 2021: EU commits €4 billion more to climate vulnerables, calls on the US to step up
14 Sep 2021: As climate talks near, pressure grows on Asia to cancel new coal projects
10 Sep 2021: Cop26 will be ‘rich nations stitch-up’ if poorer countries kept away by Covid
9 Sep 2021: Scottish campaigners condemn Cop26 as ‘the most exclusionary ever’
7 Sep 2021: COP26 summit urged to prioritise adaptation as 'climate emergency' surge
6 Sep 2021: What is Cop26 and why does it matter? Your guide to the Glasgow climate summit
2 Sep 2021: Global South climate activists doubt COP26 participation over vaccine delay
2 Sep 2021: Global South climate activists doubt COP26 participation over vaccine delay
26 Aug 2021: Burning forests to make energy: EU and world grapple with biomass science
29 Jul 2021: South Africa proposes global goal for adaptation at pre-Cop26 ministerial
27 Jul 2021: Climate action must happen 'for our people, not to them', cities say
26 Jul 2021: K hosts 51 countries for climate talks ahead of COP26
22 Jul 2021: EU ministers discuss preparations for COP26 conference
22 Jul 2021: ANALYSIS - Push to 'keep 1.5 alive' heats up, 100 days from COP26 climate talks
20 Jul 2021: US seeks cooperation with China on climate but not at any price
15 Jul 2021: Move faster to cut emissions, developing world tells rich nations
5 Jul 2021: As COP26 draws closer, climate negotiations are still stuck on finance
25 Jun 2021: Success of climate change talks rests on finance, UN chief says
22 Jun 2021: UN blasts world leaders for failing to seal £72bn-a-year deal on climate
21 Jun 2021: Climate fund considers India, South Africa to pilot $2bn coal transition scheme
18 Jun 2021: Climate finance remains a stumbling block on way to COP26
17 Jun 2021: Ministers called in to break deadlock after unproductive climate talks
14 Jun 2021: G7 reaffirmed goals but failed to provide funds needed to reach them, experts say
8 Jun 2021: G7 leaders urged to show solidarity on climate change and COVID-19 at summit
1 Jun 2021: Europe calls for more ambitious climate policies ahead of COP26
24 May 2021: China must set out near-term policies to reach climate goals, says UK's Sharma
17 May 2021: Last hope over climate crisis requires end to coal, says Alok Sharma
17 May 2021: Half of emissions cuts will come from future tech, says John Kerry
10 May 2021: Tar sands executive named as Canadian ‘climate champion’ ahead of Cop26
27 Apr 2021: The Guardian view on Biden’s green revolution: it needs revolutionaries
13 Apr 2021: Greta Thunberg says she will not attend Cop26 climate summit
12 Apr 2021: Boris Johnson told to get grip of UK climate strategy before Cop26
8 Apr 2021: South Africa sets out to tighten 2030 emissions target
29 Mar 2021: UK urged to take lead in helping poor countries fund climate action
25 Mar 2021: A successful Cop26 is essential for Britain and the world. Here's how it can happen
9 Mar 2021: South Sudan plans to raise climate ambition amid ‘dire’ humanitarian crisis
9 Mar 2021: Britain lacks plan to meet climate target, watchdog says
8 Mar 2021: Brazil working with Biden on climate, Amazon deforestation, says foreign minister
4 Mar 2021: The climate crisis can't be solved by carbon accounting tricks
4 Mar 2021: All aboard for COP26: 22 electric buses planned for Glasgow ahead of Climate Summit
1 Mar 2021: Sir David Attenborough tells UN ‘It is too late to avoid climate change’
22 Feb 2021: Keep funding green homes to meet emissions target, say businesses
8 Feb 2021: António Guterres calls for preparatory UN climate negotiations to be held online
4 Feb 2021: Cop26 dream team: The people setting the climate agenda on seven key issues
25 Jan 2021: Europe must become a global climate power
21 Jan 2021: Reformed trade rules can help to save the climate
18 Jan 2021: EU should set a joint and ambitious standard for climate finance
11 Jan 2021: IEA warns of post-pandemic emissions rebound
18 Dec 2020: Armed with proposals, young climate activists hunt decision-making power
15 Dec 2020: As Taiwan models net zero scenarios, campaigners push for 2050 target
11 Dec 2020: Celebs call for more women on UK's male-dominated UN climate summit team
3 Dec 2020: Oil and gas firms urged to work towards net zero British North Sea
3 Dec 2020: Pressure mounts on Britain to update its UN climate target
30 Nov 2020: Youth activists demand damages for climate victims at virtual ‘mock Cop26’
26 Nov 2020: UK aid budget cuts undermine trust ahead of Cop26 summit, experts warn
19 Nov 2020: Boris Johnson sets out 10-point plan to get UK on track for net zero
16 Nov 2020: Firms agree Scotland to England renewable energy 'superhighway'
12 Nov 2020: UK looks to Cop26 climate summit to fix awkward relationship with Biden
9 Nov 2020: ‘Hypocrites and greenwash’: Greta Thunberg blasts leaders over climate crisis
9 Nov 2020: As virus delays climate summit, youth 'Mock COP' takes (virtual) floor
5 Nov 2020: Emissions from energy sector likely to rebound from COVID-19, Capgemini warns
2 Nov 2020: Asian net zero wave leaves Australia’s Scott Morrison isolated
30 Oct 2020: UK negotiator: Countries must resolve carbon market dispute to step up ambition
8 Sep 2020: Major economies talk green recovery, hydrogen at Japanese summit
1 Sep 2020: Extra UN climate talks mooted for 2021 to help negotiators catch up
20 Aug 2020: Big oil need not apply: UK raises the bar for UN climate summit sponsorship
25 Jun 2020: No UN climate talks to be held in 2020, as interim meeting postponed again
25 Jun 2020: UK risks missing UN climate deadline, in headache for hosts of key summit
19 Jun 2020: Hopes for EU–China climate deal centre on a green recovery
8 Jun 2020: Delay to climate talks deepens uncertainty over future of carbon markets
8 Jun 2020: COVID-19 relief for fossil fuel industries risks green recovery plans
2 Jun 2020: Japan to launch ‘green recovery’ platform and ministerial meeting
1 Jun 2020: Covid-hit UK begins 18-month preparations for UN climate summit
29 May 2020: U.N. confirms year-long delay for crucial climate summit
28 May 2020: Next UN climate summit to be delayed to November 2021, UK hosts propose
2 Apr 2020: ‘We won’t slow down’ on climate: EU reacts to COP26 postponement
2 Apr 2020: 'We must use this time well': climate experts hopeful after Cop26 delay
2 Apr 2020: Cop26 climate talks postponed to 2021 amid coronavirus pandemic
19 Mar 2020: Coronavirus slows developing nations’ plans to step up climate action in 2020
6 Mar 2020: Legal gaps and US election could delay climate ambition before Glasgow summit
3 Mar 2020: African countries need rich nations to take the lead on ambition at Cop26
3 Mar 2020: Vital Cop26 climate talks could be derailed by coronavirus
28 Feb 2020: Net zero goal ‘greatest commercial opportunity of our time,’ says Mark Carney
25 Feb 2020: World faces ‘decisive decade’ to fix global warming, former UN climate chief says
18 Feb 2020: Investors urge Japan to strengthen climate targets ahead of U.N. summit
17 Feb 2020: UK government appoints Alok Sharma as Cop26 president
13 Feb 2020: UK climate diplomacy ‘already happening’ for Cop26 despite leadership vacuum
Energy price
26 Jan 2024: EU electricity prices: Will 2024 mark the end of national tariff shields?
18 Jan 2024: EU economy still grappling with long tail of 2022 energy shock
18 Jan 2024: EU economy still grappling with long tail of 2022 energy shock
18 Jan 2024: ‘Very worrying’: Trade unions alarmed by EU’s industrial collapse
16 Jan 2024: Electricity pricing is Europe’s hidden industrial policy
27 Oct 2023: Higher energy bills forecast for UK households next year
15 Jun 2023: Pakistan wants to conserve energy and save money. Will it succeed?
30 May 2023: Weather tracker: power prices dip to negative in Europe amid clean energy boost
21 Mar 2023: G7 to hold off revising Russian oil price cap this week - EU officials
17 Mar 2023: France welcomes inclusion of nuclear in EU power market reform
14 Mar 2023: Finnish investigation blames EU for high electricity bills
23 Dec 2022: Poland introduces €43 gas price cap to protect consumers
20 Dec 2022: EU seals deal on gas price cap after months of wrangling
25 Nov 2022: Dutch minister slams Commission’s ‘flawed’ price cap proposal
27 Oct 2022: Gas price cap ready ‘this winter’ if countries agree, says EU energy chief
25 Oct 2022: Brussels cautions against EU-wide gas price cap for electricity
18 Oct 2022: LEAK: EU leaders to discuss ‘dynamic price limit’ for gas, among other options
7 Oct 2022: Spain to support EU Commission’s proposals to tackle high energy prices
6 Oct 2022: EU chief open to gas price cap as ‘temporary solution’ to energy crisis
4 Oct 2022: Leaders to call for ‘workable’ price cap on gas at EU summit
29 Sep 2022: Flexibility in power sector could slash consumer bills by €71 billion, study finds
29 Sep 2022: Lawmakers close in on EU carbon market ‘frontloading’ to lower energy prices
26 Sep 2022: France announces €45bn effort to shield country from energy cost increases
5 Sep 2022: Sweden, Finland step in to avert Lehman-like situation for power companies
5 Sep 2022: Swedish government counting on Europe to fix energy crisis
1 Sep 2022: Electricity prices in Spain hit historic high
1 Sep 2022: Energy price inflation: how the UK and EU could fight it
30 Aug 2022: Austria’s largest energy supplier urgently needs government help
30 Aug 2022: Austria calls to decouple gas, electricity prices
26 Aug 2022: Czechs mull using EU presidency to call summit over energy prices
15 Jul 2022: Greece tells Germans fearing huge heating bills to ‘come here for winter’
12 Jul 2022: Poland to extend gas tariff protection for households until end 2027
5 Jul 2022: Renewables prices should not be linked to gas prices
23 Jun 2022: Spain to reduce electricity VAT to mitigate crisis impact
9 Jun 2022: ‘Climatic chaos’: activists furious as Brussels approves Iberian energy mechanism
24 May 2022: New York is facing a pandemic-fueled home energy crisis, with no end in sight
17 May 2022: Iran considering gas exports to Europe: official
17 May 2022: Light pollution falling amid soaring energy prices, star survey finds
10 May 2022: EU Commission approves Spanish-Portuguese plan to cap gas prices
29 Apr 2022: Electricity market ‘not to blame for current crisis’, EU agency concludes
1 Apr 2022: Increase in electricity prices inevitable, says French elected official
31 Mar 2022: Energy prices push Spanish inflation to 37-year high
31 Mar 2022: Berlin, Paris agree close-knit exchange and plan for new sanctions
25 Mar 2022: In Spain, soaring prices fuel growing social unrest
4 Mar 2022: Commission mulls new communication on impact of energy crisis on the agri sector
18 Feb 2022: British households face fuel poverty as energy prices skyrocket
14 Feb 2022: The sensible bet is to accelerate the energy transition
4 Feb 2022: High electricity prices, renewables and windfall profits – all paid for by EU citizens
4 Feb 2022: UK government ‘failing’ to cut carbon emissions from home heating
25 Jan 2022: Analysis: Cutting the ‘green crap’ has added £2.5bn to UK energy bills
14 Jan 2022: Global surge in electricity use could bring three more years of price rises
14 Dec 2021: EU to propose joint gas buying in response to high energy prices – document
2 Dec 2021: EU countries clash over reforms needed to tackle energy price spike
22 Nov 2021: Energy crisis could worsen poverty for millions of Europeans
4 Nov 2021: Investing in fossil fuels amidst an energy price shock: the case of Greece
1 Nov 2021: Gas companies in Europe made €4 billion from energy crunch: report
27 Oct 2021: Bleak houses: Families struggle to foot France's soaring energy bills
27 Oct 2021: Gas prices: keep calm and renovate buildings
21 Oct 2021: EU leaders to lock horns over response to energy price spike
21 Oct 2021: Spain urges EU to take energy crisis measures ‘beyond winter’
14 Oct 2021: EU countries slam new carbon market plans as energy prices soar
14 Oct 2021: Putin blames EU green policies for energy price spike
12 Oct 2021: China to liberalise coal-fired power pricing to tackle energy crisis
7 Oct 2021: UK energy bills could rise 30% in 2022, warn analysts
7 Oct 2021: Soaring energy prices climb EU’s political agenda
6 Oct 2021: India’s vulnerability to coal shocks exposed amid surging energy demand and prices
6 Oct 2021: The only quick-fix to Europe’s energy price crisis is saving energy
4 Oct 2021: China orders energy firms to secure winter fuel supplies at all costs
4 Oct 2021: Time to establish a ‘European Central Energy Bank’
24 Sep 2021: How rising wholesale electricity prices will affect the switch to electric vehicles
24 Sep 2021: EU energy ministers meet to discuss power price surge
