Letter from Europe: Politicians must be braver

Energy’s economic, geopolitical and climate challenges require the continent’s decision-makers to step up

February marks the end of my almost four-and-a-half years as editor-in-chief of the PE Media Network and of day-to-day responsibility for Petroleum Economist content. It has been a great privilege but—given the events of the past few years—has not been without its challenges too! As I hand over to my successor, inevitably there is a gaze forward as well as back. And as I consider the future of energy here in Europe and globally, it strikes me that, far from calmer waters ahead, politicians in my home continent will likely face ever-growing tempests as we try to progress to a much lower-carbon future. And there is little evidence of adequate appetite to make the strategic, and often political