Articles - Commentary

China’s Rare Earth Export Ban Is Backfiring

Friday, March 8, 2024

China’s Rare Earth Export Ban Is Backfiring

by the Metal Miner* Team

The rare earths market experiences significant fluctuations, with prices plunging due to weaker demand and shifts away from Chinese sources, compounded by export bans imposed by China. Wyoming's rare earth discovery raises hopes of reducing reliance on Chinese supply, potentially leading to a mining boom in the U.S. and altering global market dynamics


The U.S. Pause on LNG Export Permits Does Not Threaten Energy Security in Europe and Asia

Friday, February 9, 2024

The U.S. Pause on LNG Export Permits Does Not Threaten Energy Security in Europe and Asia

by Sam Reynolds and Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz

The Biden administration’s decision to temporarily pause permitting for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals has caused an uproar among industry groups and fossil fuel companies. In Congressional hearings on the issue this week, opponents of the move repeatedly declared it would hurt U.S. allies in Europe and Asia that “desperately” need American LNG

How Will U.S. Elections Influence Global Energy Markets?

Thursday, February 1, 2024

How Will U.S. Elections Influence Global Energy Markets?

by Alex Kimani*

Trump's presidency could amplify support for fossil fuels and strain clean energy initiatives. Biden's second term may intensify pro-clean energy policies although his administration would likely face legislative challenges. While the election will undoubtedly influence energy markets, energy investors should continue to focus on individual stocks rather than betting on entire sectors


The Impact of Climate Policies on Oil and Gas Investment

Friday, December 22, 2023

The Impact of Climate Policies on Oil and Gas Investment

by Christian Bogmans, Andrea Pescatori and Ervin Prifti*

The induced transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy can affect firm investment through powerful anticipation effects. This column uses a firm-level measure of climate policy exposure to show that climate policies have already led to a 6.5% decline in global investment by publicly traded oil and gas companies between 2015 and 2019

Energy Intensity Progress Slows in 2023: IEA

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Energy Intensity Progress Slows in 2023: IEA

by Rhys Talbot*

Reductions in energy intensity — energy use per unit of GDP generated — slowed in 2023 to 1.3pc from 2pc the year before, the IEA said today. The outlook is positive, but governments must take "substantial and concerted" action to reach a goal of 4pc/yr falls in energy intensity to 2030, it added


 The China-West Lithium Tango in South America

Friday, October 27, 2023

The China-West Lithium Tango in South America

by Ali Rahman and Leland Lazarus

In the vast, almost haunting expanse of the high Argentine desert, beneath layers of brine and time, lies an element that could easily be mistaken for table salt. Yet, this mineral holds the key to power electric vehicles, cell phones, and the whole green energy revolution. They call it “white gold” – lithium

What Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Are Getting Wrong

Thursday, October 5, 2023

What Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Are Getting Wrong

by Leonard Hyman & William Tilles*

The Edison Electric Institute, the electric industry lobbying group, appears to be fighting hard against any rapid policy changes. The American Petroleum Institute, representing the U.S. oil and gas industry, is pushing back against pressure to lean into the energy transition. While it is understandable why these groups want to defend their industries, this reluctance to change might undermine legacy companies going forward


Is Nuclear Power Set for a European Renaissance?

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Is Nuclear Power Set for a European Renaissance?

by Paul Messad*

Nuclear power is making a comeback on the EU energy scene after an eventful 2022-2023 year, which according to Paris, reflects an “excellent diplomatic record” for France in defending atomic energy. EURACTIV looks at the bigger picture

The Impact of Gas Supply Shocks in Europe

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

The Impact of Gas Supply Shocks in Europe

by Piergiorgio Alessandri and Andrea Gazzani*

The price of natural gas in Europe increased five-fold after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This large shock made the gas market the focal point of heated political debates across European capitals


Recycled Plastic Demand: Long-Term Positivity But Short-Term Concern

Friday, May 26, 2023

Recycled Plastic Demand: Long-Term Positivity But Short-Term Concern

by Will Collins*

Legislative developments that would be supportive of increased recycling give participants in the European recycling market reason for positivity in the long term, although concern about the short-term outlook sat heavily over the recent Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) conference and trade show

Falling Crude Prices Drag Down Profits At China's Oil Giants

Friday, April 28, 2023

Falling Crude Prices Drag Down Profits At China's Oil Giants

by By Tsvetana Paraskova*

A decline in oil prices squeezed profit margins at China's large oil & gas companies. Sinopec, for Q1 2023, reported an 11.8% drop in first-quarter net profit. CNOOC’s net profit fell by 6.4% year-over-year


 Is a New Russia-China-India Bloc Forming in the East?

Friday, April 21, 2023

Is a New Russia-China-India Bloc Forming in the East?

by Mohamed Zeeshan*

Last week, a potentially consequential meeting in New Delhi went conspicuously unnoticed in much of the West. On the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia’s powerful Security Council, met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a private interaction

Getting Real on the Inflation Reduction Act: Evolving European Reactions

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Getting Real on the Inflation Reduction Act: Evolving European Reactions

by Charles Wessner and Srishti Khemka*

The Biden administration’s industrial policy action is built around four major legislative initiatives: the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the CHIPS and Science Act


Ban On IOCs In Iraqi Kurdistan May Be Lifted

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Ban On IOCs In Iraqi Kurdistan May Be Lifted

by Simon Watkins*

IOCs had effectively been banned from operating in both the north and the south of Iraq. The deal between Baghdad and the KRG about oil sales and its proceeds has not worked out as it should. The FGI’s reinvigorated toughness last year on the KRG’s independent sale of oil from the north indicates that Russian companies lost influence


Russia’s Far East Has Become Crucial For China’s Energy Ambitions

Friday, February 10, 2023

Russia’s Far East Has Become Crucial For China’s Energy Ambitions

On December 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin took part, via videoconference, in the commissioning ceremony for the Kovykta gas field, the largest in Eastern Siberia (Kremlin.ru, December 21, 2022). The field’s recoverable reserves are estimated at 1.8 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, but they are almost entirely reserved for Chinese consumers

The Fastest Energy Change in History

Friday, February 3, 2023

The Fastest Energy Change in History

by the International Solar Energy Society*

Solar and wind are being installed at a rate that is three times faster than all other new electricity sources combined. This offers compelling market-based evidence that PV and wind are now the most competitive and practical methods for deploying new generating capacity



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