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
Also in this section
14 April 2026
The GECF has warned it may revise its projections for demand this year downwards in light of conflict in the Middle East, although it maintains its forecasts for 2027 and onwards
13 April 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis highlights sharp shift from crude oversupply to market deficit, with Iraq and Kuwait badly affected and key producers Saudi Arabia and the UAE also seeing output sharply lower
13 April 2026
Turkmenistan is moving ahead with a modest expansion of the giant Galkynysh field to sustain gas deliveries abroad, but persistent delays to other key pipeline projects and geopolitical risks continue to constrain its export ambitions
13 April 2026
Expensive electricity has forced out swathes of energy-intensive industry and now threatens the country’s ability to attract future investment in datacentres and the digital economy






