Europe cut Russian gas but hasn’t fully decarbonized its energy system
Europe has slashed its reliance on Russian gas and expanded renewable energy since the Ukraine war began, but deeper decarbonization remains a challenge.
Julian Spector reports for Canary Media.
In short:
- Europe has nearly eliminated Russian gas imports, cutting total gas consumption by 20% since 2021, but much of the reduction came from economic factors like factory closures and high prices rather than permanent clean energy policies.
- Renewables provided 47% of the EU’s electricity in 2024, with nuclear bringing the carbon-free total to 71%, while fossil-fuel generation fell to its lowest level in decades.
- Heat pump adoption surged after the war began but slowed in 2024 as gas prices declined, and policymakers face challenges in making electricity a more cost-effective heating option.
Key quote:
"Russian pipeline flows have been reduced to a trickle in Europe."
— Olympe Mattei, a gas analyst at research firm BloombergNEF’s London bureau
Why this matters:
Europe’s energy shift highlights the tension between geopolitical urgency and long-term climate goals. While the region has made progress in cutting fossil fuels, much of the change was driven by economic pressures rather than structural reforms. As gas prices stabilize, demand could rebound unless policies push for deeper electrification and renewable deployment. The transition also raises concerns about industrial competitiveness, as some factories shut down due to high energy costs. Meanwhile, the reliance on U.S. liquefied natural gas shows that fossil fuels remain embedded in Europe’s energy mix, despite emissions reductions in the power sector.
Learn more: Europe moves ahead with renewables as the U.S. doubles down on fossil fuels
