Climate and Energy

Climate policy is a central pillar of the European security architecture, especially in times of global crises. A new report by the Kiel Institute quantifies the security benefits of an ambitious EU climate policy. For every euro Europe spends less on oil, Russia’s war chest shrinks by 13 cents, thereby easing pressure on European defense budgets. These could decrease by 37 cents for each euro saved on oil. The calculations make it clear: From a geopolitical perspective as well, a higher CO₂ price is justified – and a speed limit would also have a direct security benefit

A new four-year Horizon Europe project has been initiated to investigate the feasibility of storing CO2 in the ocean. It aims to determine whether this method is environmentally safe, socially acceptable, and economically viable. The oceans hold significant potential as enhanced sinks for atmospheric CO2, contributing to global climate targets. Within the project, the Kiel Institute will address the question of how actual CDR (carbon dioxide removal)-based methods could be implemented and integrated into climate policy.

In cooperation of the Christian-Albrechts-University (CAU) and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Wilfried Rickels takes up a professorship to research economic aspects of atmospheric CO2 removal (Economics of Negative Emissions Technologies). In this capacity, he will also remain director of the Global Commons and Climate Policy Research Center at the Kiel Institute.