Energy costs are big news. In the UK, they have been high on the political agenda for years, though the 2022 energy crisis exacerbated the challenges: its long shadow has left...
Commentaries
COP30 Belem and the Chinese dog that didnt bark
At COP30 in Belem, the dog that didn’t bark was China. That was key to a weak outcome, tilted heavily towards the lowest common denominator. To understand future prospects for...
2024 Roundup: Economics of Energy Innovation and Transition
I’ve not done a ‘roundup of the year’ before, but 2024 proved exceptional across a range of research, political and some other developments – so here, a brief overview. EEIST....
UK electricity market design: Seven Propositions and launch of the UCL Centre for Net Zero Market Design.
UCL has launched a new business-funded research Centre for Net Zero Market Design, that brings academics together with industry and government to inform reform of the UK’s...
![Strategic Economics of Energy Transition #3: Dynamic determinants [and a coda on the UK coal mine ban].](https://profmichaelgrubb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SCED-Cover-pic-400x250.png)
Strategic Economics of Energy Transition #3: Dynamic determinants [and a coda on the UK coal mine ban].
Summary: Well-known dynamic characteristics of energy technologies and systems are important for climate policy. A new paper Dynamic determinants of optimal climate policy, just...
Strategic Economics of Energy Transition #2 (Global dimensions): the 2024 World Development Report
This year’s World Development Report: the Middle-Income Trap could be the most globally important economic report of any major institution, for many years. That is, in part,...
Strategic economics of energy transition #1: Energy Cost Constancy
A new publication demonstrate the historical capacity for energy systems to adapt to needs, and maintain costs within a relative narrow range
Climate change progress and Paradox
Despite scepticism, parts of the world have been making real progress on cutting emissions. But the latest push for carbon pricing has fallen flat. Its advocates need to learn from the accumulated evidence – and recalibrate fast.
COPped out? The Global Stocktake on Mitigation and and its implications
The Mitigation section of UEA Consensus on the Global Stocktake avoids the issue that should lie at the heart of a robust international agreement: what should be done if the “nationally determined” offers don’t add up to the agreed goals (they don’t – as acknowledged) and won’t (as is obvious). Understanding why is crucial for understanding what the COP can and cannot do – and hence the need to look beyond.
Welcome to my Website
Welcome to my website. I’ve worked on energy systems, economics & policy dimensions of climate change over decades. This site offers a gateway to the research, much of it...