Simone Tagliapietra
Simone Tagliapietra is a Senior fellow at Bruegel. He is also Adjunct professor of Energy, Climate and Environmental Policy at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and at The Johns Hopkins University - School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Europe.
His research focuses on the European Union climate and energy policy and on the political economy of global decarbonisation. With a record of numerous policy and scientific publications, he is the author of Global Energy Fundamentals (Cambridge University Press, 2020), L’Energia del Mondo (Il Mulino, 2020) and Energy Relations in the Euro-Mediterranean (Palgrave, 2017).
His columns and policy work are published and cited in leading international media such as the Financial Times, The New York Times, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Le Monde, Die Zeit, Corriere della Sera, Il Sole 24 Ore and others.
Simone holds a PhD in Institutions and Policies from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Born in the Dolomites in 1988, he speaks Italian, English and French.
Disclaimer of external interests
Featured work
Will the European Union price cap on Russian oil work?
The G7 Russian oil price cap is an ambitious but untested instrument. While pitfalls exist, the cap has the potential to be the most potent sanctions.
National fiscal policy responses to the energy crisis
Europe must now strike a deal on energy prices
Europe must move beyond blocking agreement on a coordinated solution and undermining EU unity in the face of Russian aggression.
To cap or not to cap: the deal Europe needs on energy prices
An EU gas price cap would be counterproductive, but the reasons why it is supported widely must be acknowledged and addressed.
The European energy crisis and the future of the UK-EU relations in the field of energy and climate
Testimony before the European Affairs Committee at the House of Lords, UK Parliament.
National energy policy responses to the energy crisis
Success at COP27 will be defined by progress on climate finance and ‘loss and damage’
COP27 should create the basis of a global loss-and-damage fund to help vulnerable countries already suffering from climate disasters.
How have sanctions impacted Russia?
In this paper we assess both the immediate economic impact and the likely longer-term impact of sanctions on the Russian economy.
How European Union energy policies could mitigate the coming recession
The European Union faces recession, but the way in which policymakers manage the energy crisis will determine its depth and duration.
Europe’s Quest for Energy Security and the Renewed Case for a Strong Mediterranean Green Energy Partnership
IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook 2022
Does the European Union need an energy crisis fund?
An EU energy fund is justified, but for different reasons than commonly assumed, with implications for the fund’s design.
Germany’s gas-price ‘defence shield’: problems and redeeming features
The €200 billion “defence shield” risks undermining European solidarity. This could be avoided by designing it well.
An assessment of Europe’s options for addressing the crisis in energy markets
Action to intervene in the gas and electricity wholesale markets is also being taken at European Union level, which is what we analyse in this paper.
How Can the European Union Adapt to Climate Change?
Europe must increasingly deal with the harmful impacts of climate change, regardless of its success in reducing emissions.
A grand bargain to steer through the European Union’s energy crisis
The current crisis looks set to leave behind it a radically different system, but what that system will look like remains an open question
The grand energy bargain Europe needs to defeat Putin
Climate club ‘green certificate’ would boost membership
Europe Needs a Grand Bargain on Energy
Why a “Go It Alone” Approach Will Leave Countries in the Cold This Winter
EU climate agenda is not at odds with energy security
In the coming weeks and months, Europe must deploy all available options to counter Putin’s energy blackmail.
Europe needs energy solidarity — not a North-South rift
The bloc must urgently implement a compensation scheme to prevent Putin from dividing member countries.
A Transatlantic Energy and Climate Pact Is Now More Necessary Than Ever
A possible G7 price cap on Russian oil: issues at stake
A price cap on Russian oil might improve the current western sanctions regime, but effectiveness will depend on the west’s willingness
Scorching summers are becoming the new normal. Can Europe prepare itself?
As global average temperatures continue to rise beyond the current 1.2°C above pre-industrial averages, Europe is likely to warm even faster.
How can the European Union adapt to climate change?
A stronger adaptation governance framework would benefit adaptation efforts.
How to make the EU Energy Platform an effective emergency tool
The platform could become an effective emergency tool to safeguard Europe’s gas supply, but policymakers need to address challenges to make it work.
Europe’s Russian oil embargo: significant but not yet
The ban on most Russian oil significantly scales up the EU response to aggression against Ukraine, but the bloc should stand ready for retaliation.
Economics of access to energy
This chapter discusses the key obstacles that have so far prevented 840 million people worldwide from gaining access to electricity.
REPowerEU: will EU countries really make it work?
By acting together, the European Union can optimise its response to the energy crisis in all scenarios but each country will have to make concessions.
For Europe, an oil embargo is not the way to go
Even at this late hour, the European Union should consider taking a different path.
The Global Quest for Green Growth: An Economic Policy Perspective
A review on green growth and degrowth arguments.
How to weaken Russian oil and gas strength
Letter published in Science.
A phase out of Russian oil may be less effective than a tariff at reducing Putin’s rents
A punitive tariff on all energy imports from Russia would be a better choice than a gradually phased-in embargo on selected fuels.
Europe must get serious about cutting oil and gas use
As energy security risks increase, European governments must stop subsidising oil and gas, and ask people to consume less.
EU risks letting Putin’s gas divide-and-rule strategy win
The 2 May meeting of EU energy ministers should deliver strong and common EU action. Failing to do so would undermine Europe’s unity, energy security
Cutting Putin’s energy rent: ‘smart sanctioning’ Russian oil and gas
Infrastructure bottlenecks prevent Russia from selling all the oil it wants to bring to market, even at lower prices.
Green public procurement: A neglected tool in the European Green Deal toolbox?
A new EU regulatory action in public procurement could unlock the potential of green public procurement and add an important element to the European G
Climate migration: what do we really know?
While uncertain, studies suggest that climate change will cause significant internal and international migration over the next century.
Cutting Putin’s energy rent: ‘smart sanctioning’ Russian oil and gas
Three ways Europe could limit Russian oil and gas revenues.
UK energy supply and investment
Testimony before the Economic Affairs Committee at the House of Lords, UK Parliament.
Dans l’urgence climatique
Book published by Gallimard and overseen by Groupe d’études géopolitiques (GEG)
Can Europe manage if Russian oil and coal are cut off?
A stop to Russian oil and coal supplies would push Europe into a short and painful adjustment period.
How to wean Europe off Russian gas as swiftly as possible
A trans-Atlantic pact between North America and Europe is essential if Europe is to free itself in the short term from its dependence on Russian energ
How Europe can defeat Russia’s divide and rule strategy in the long term
The European Union will have to bolster members most vulnerable to Russian blackmail and rethink the structure of European energy markets in order to
How Europe can sustain Russia sanctions
Russia's war in Ukraine has underscored the need for Europe finally to invest more in its own defence and security. Such an outrageous act of aggressi
Preparing for the first winter without Russian gas
The European Union can manage without Russian gas next winter, but must be united in taking difficult decisions.
The Kremlin’s gas wars
How Europe can protect itself from Russian blackmail.
Greening Europe’s post-COVID-19 recovery
This Blueprint includes some of the Group’s most prominent voices on the different aspects of the multidimensional issue of green recovery.
Letter: The EU’s green taxonomy is a missed opportunity
The taxonomy is unlikely to become the international “gold standard” in the field, which is a missed opportunity.
Can Europe survive painlessly without Russian gas?
If Russian gas stops flowing, measures to replace supply won’t be enough. The European Union will need to curb demand, implying difficult and costly d
How an open climate club can generate carbon dividends for the poor
The German-led G7 can accelerate decarbonisation while tackling climate justice.
What the EU climate package has to overcome in 2022
An overview of the EU climate package to be negotiated in 2022.
Sustainability transition and the European Green Deal: A macro-dynamic perspective
Report of the results of work carried out at ETC/WMGE on Green economy transition: Macroeconomic analytical framework in 2020 and 2021.
The Global Gateway: a real step towards a stronger Europe in the world?
Disappointment at the lack of fresh cash from European Union global connectivity strategy is short-sighted: Europe supports global development more th
Europe's path to net-zero
Fostering the industrial component of the European Green Deal: key principles and policy options.
Rising energy prices: European Union countries’ views on medium-term policies
Alongside short-term measures to shield consumers from rising energy prices, EU countries have set out their positions on medium-term measures to prev
Goodbye Glasgow: what’s next for global climate action?
After COP26, and as the debate on whether Glasgow represents a success or a failure dies down, what next for global climate action?
Glasgow: a clearer sense of direction but with no hard numbers
Global climate action is visibly accelerating however the conference failed to deliver on the hard numbers.
European Union countries’ National Recovery and Resilience Plans: A cross-country comparison
Testimony before the Economic Affairs Committee of the French Senate.
Keeping the energy policy triangle in balance is key to reach net-zero
Delivering policies that address energy security, competitiveness and sustainability is one of the most formidable challenges facing governments in th
How green are electric vehicles?
A policy paper dissecting existing life cycle assessments of electric vehicles and identifying potential future trends in the different stages of the
Xi’s pledge on financing coal plants overseas misses point
China’s domestic installation of coal-fired power plants continues at great pace.
The only quick-fix to Europe’s energy price crisis is saving energy
The only thing Europe can quickly do to prevent a potentially difficult winter is to actively promote energy conservation in both the residential and
Will China use climate change as a bargaining chip?
Beijing shows signs of changing tactics ahead of the COP26 conference.
Letter: The lesson Europe should learn from the gas crisis
Europe’s gas supply security could more effectively be safeguarded by ensuring that unused alternatives are maintained.
Can climate change be tackled without ditching economic growth?
The ultimate answer to the question on whether climate change can be tackled without ditching economic growth depends on our willingness to step up cl
Can climate change be tackled without ditching economic growth?
The notion of degrowth to reduce greenhouse gas emissions appears unrealistic; decoupling of emissions from growth is in principle possible but requir
Is Europe’s gas and electricity price surge a one-off?
Surging natural gas prices in Europe, driven by rising demand and tight supply, are pushing up electricity prices; to prevent volatility, governments
Conditions are ideal for a new climate club
The technical and political conditions are ideal for the creation of a climate club to catalyse tougher climate action worldwide.
Hydrogen development strategies: a global perspective
Despite different strategies, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and Japan all expect hydrogen to play a significant rol
How much investment do we need to reach net zero?
The size and scope of investments needed to reach net zero will have significant macroeconomic implications.
Poorest should be able to buy into decarbonisation
Climate action should be designed in a way that improves social equality.
Science is clear: climate action can't wait any longer
Without immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the world will not be able to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement -
A Safety Net for the Green Economy
How to protect workers hurt by the fight against climate change.
Fit for 55 marks Europe’s climate moment of truth
With Fit for 55, Europe is the global first mover in turning a long-term net-zero goal into real-world policies,
marking the entry of climate policy
A breakdown of EU countries’ post-pandemic green spending plans
An analysis of European Union countries’ recovery plans shows widely differing green spending priorities.
Relaunching transatlantic cooperation with a carbon border adjustment mechanism
The best way for the EU and the US to jointly introduce carbon border adjustment would be to form a ‘climate club’.
A transatlantic climate alliance
When Joe Biden visits Europe for the first time as US president, he should begin forging a transatlantic green deal.
For the climate, Asia-Pacific must phase out fossil-fuel subsidies
An exit from coal in the Asia-Pacific region is a global decarbonisation priority.
Setting Europe’s economic recovery in motion: a first look at national plans
Plans for spending European Union recovery funds submitted by the four largest EU countries reflect rather different priorities. So far, only Italy is
China has a grand carbon neutrality target but where is the plan?
China’s new long-term targets, to reach peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, are yet to be matched with a consistent shor
It’s time for a green social contract
The green transformation will have far-reaching socio-economic implications. Action is needed to ensure domestic and international social equity and f
Letter: ‘Strategic autonomy’ is now an EU catchphrase
Strategic autonomy should not be an illusionary search for independence, but rather a strategic management of interdependence, based on diversificatio
Form a climate club: United States, European Union and China
If the three biggest economies agree a carbon tax on imports, it will catalyse climate action globally.
The EU can’t separate climate policy from foreign policy
How to make the European Green Deal succeed.
Carbon price floors: an addition to the European Green Deal arsenal
As the European Union sets out a more ambitious climate policy, carbon price floors provide an opportunity to place greater emphasis on altering expec
Carbon border adjustment in the United States: not easy, but not impossible either
President Biden has promised to implement a levy on carbon-intensive imports, albeit without a federal domestic carbon price. The measure faces a numb
The EU can’t separate climate policy from foreign policy
How to make the European Green Deal succeed.
The geopolitics of the European Green Deal
The Green Deal will redefine Europe’s global policy priorities; as such, it is a foreign policy development with profound geopolitical consequences
A green industrial policy for Europe
A ‘green industrial policy’ able to promote economic growth, job creation and environmental goals altogether will be fundamental to Europe’s climate c
A green industrial policy for Europe
This Blueprint examines how the European Union can develop a coherent green industrial policy that will serve the goals of the European Green Deal.
2021 can be a climate breakthrough, but Biden and Europe need to talk
"2021 can be a breakthrough year for climate: the new US administration and the EU have a real opportunity, through a ‘global net zero coalition’, to
Understanding the world of tomorrow through the great challenges of energy and climate change
“Only a broad policy framework – taking into account economic, fiscal, industrial, labour, innovation and social policy issues – can address the chall
The European climate law needs a strong just transition fund
To deliver on the goals of the European climate law, the European Union needs finally to get coal out of its energy mix: the EU should quicken the pac
Unpacking President von der Leyen’s new climate plan
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has set a new destination for EU climate policy: a 55% emissions reduction by 2030. This is a good
Global Energy Fundamentals
Cambridge University Press just published the new book of Bruegel research fellow Simone Tagliapietra, Global Energy Fundamentals. It provides a rigor
Is the EU Council agreement aligned with the Green Deal ambitions?
On 21 July, EU leaders agreed on a €1.8 trillion package that should boost the recovery after the COVID-19 crisis, but also contribute to the advancem
Greening the recovery by greening the fiscal consolidation
In the wake of COVID-19, some economic recovery policies will help green the economy – for example, energy renovation of buildings. But there are limi
The impacts of electrification on labour market outcomes: the case of Nigeria
In Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, expanding access to electricity has contributed to increasing labour market participation and transforming the e
One last push is needed to improve the Just Transition Fund proposal
The European Parliament and the Council still have an opportunity to improve the Just Transition Fund by refocusing it on social support and basing fu
An equity fund for a zombie-free and EU-wide recovery
Four guiding principles can help ensure a well designed EU equity fund.