How do electricity supply, infrastructure, industry and a fair distribution of costs need to work together for the energy transition to succeed? The final report, “The Grand Challenges of the Energy Transition”, brings together findings from six years of research under the Ariadne Kopernikus project. It identifies nine key challenges on the path to climate neutrality and examines how technical solutions, policy frameworks and public support need to reinforce one another.

European Climate Policy: Reconciling Energy Security and Climate Neutrality

The chapter “EU: Energy Security, Climate Neutrality and (De-)Globalisation” examines the European framework for the transition. Its authors, including Matthias Duwe and Nick Evans, explore how the EU can reconcile its long-term climate objectives with energy security, affordability and industrial competitiveness. They focus on the further development of emissions trading, the distributional impacts of climate policy and the institutional framework beyond 2030.

Among the studies discussed is an analysis by Evans and Duwe of how to make planning, reporting and progress monitoring more efficient in EU climate policy. It sets out options for simplifying administrative processes while strengthening the delivery of climate objectives. The chapter connects these governance questions with policy instrument design and international climate cooperation in a changing geopolitical landscape.

Research Through Dialogue with Society

The report combines technical and economic analysis with insights from dialogue with the public and stakeholders. Since 2020, Ariadne has involved more than 300 randomly selected citizens in dialogue activities. Their views and experiences informed the research process alongside perspectives from policymakers, business and public administration. This also helped researchers explore which measures attract support, why people support or oppose them, and where scope for compromise exists.

Taking Stock and Looking Ahead

Published in October 2026, the final report draws on the work of the Ariadne consortium of 26 research institutes. Its nine selected challenges are not intended to be exhaustive. They distil the research findings and identify priorities for further research, from integrating renewable energy and financing the transition to sustaining public support over the long term.