Global Energy Center research

Natural gas and the energy transition: Security, equity, and achieving net zero

By Phillip Cornell

A new report on the future of natural gas in the energy mix and financing in the context of the energy transition and energy security prerogatives.

The flaws in project-based carbon credit trading and the need for jurisdictional alternatives

By Byron Swift, Ken Berlin, George Frampton, and Frank Willey

This issue brief highlights several significant, and at times unresolvable, problems with the project-based approach to carbon credit trading, the purpose of which is to reduce deforestation and sequester carbon.

Navigating dominant narratives and data accuracy: Implications for energy security

By Sara Vakhshouri

Energy market shocks and uncertainties highlight the importance of understanding the interplay between data-driven narratives and market expectations within the energy sector. These narrative wield significant influence over market dynamics, impacting commodity pricing and investment trends.

Reducing Europe’s reliance on Russian energy imports: Key strategies under five scenarios

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Paddy Ryan

To better understand how the war’s conclusion—or lack thereof—will impact the options available to transatlantic policymakers, this report analyzes European security across five general scenarios—a Ukrainian victory, a negotiated settlement, a frozen conflict, a protracted conflict, and a Russian victory.

Cleveland, Ohio: Promoting a local and just energy transition

By Peter Engelke, Joseph Webster, Maia Sparkman

The issue brief focuses on the decarbonization pathway of Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland’s history shows that a concerted, collaborative effort can accomplish major conservation and decarbonization goals.

Global Energy Agenda full survey results

In the fall of 2023, the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center surveyed global energy and climate experts for an in-depth analysis to set the agenda for the world to achieve net-zero emissions and an energy-secure future for all.

Decarbonizing the aluminum market: Challenges and opportunities

By Nitya Aggarwal, Matthew Piotrowski, and George Frampton

This report explores the pathways to decarbonize aluminum production through the increased use of recycled scrap metal, supplying more low-carbon energy to production facilities, and increasing efficiency through new technologies.

The 2024 Global Energy Agenda

By Landon Derentz, Christine Suh, Paul Kielstra (Editors)

The fourth edition of the Global Energy Agenda kicks off with a collection of essays by energy leaders that are rolling out during COP28. Rounding out the Agenda in early 2024, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center will release the results of its annual survey of experts that takes the pulse on the geopolitical risks affecting energy markets, the future of fossil fuels, and the transition to clean energy.

Why COP28 is right to prioritize global methane and flaring reduction 

By Mark Davis, Landon Derentz, and William Tobin

Flaring and methane emissions from oil and gas are a substantial source of greenhouse gas emissions globally, but the funding, technology, and business practices are available to bring these emissions to near-zero. The COP28 platform can accelerate these solutions.

How to strike a grand bargain on EU nuclear energy policy

By Ben Judah, Rachel Rizzo, Théophile Pouget-Abadie, Jonah Allen, Francis Shin

The EU currently faces an internal dispute over nuclear energy. To resolve this, the EU must commit to allowing each member to pursue its own energy mix, recognize nuclear energy as a crucial part of Europe’s existing energy mix, and adopting a technology-neutral approach to the implementation of the GDIP and NZIA.