Research at FNI on climate and energy politics examines how policies, institutions and market structures shape climate and energy transitions in Europe and beyond. A particular focus is the EU, Norway and other Nordic and European countries, as well as China, India and the United States. The research also addresses international climate governance both within and beyond the UN system.

EU Climate and Energy Policy

  • EU climate and energy policy
  • Green industrial and technology policy
  • EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)
  • EU energy regulation and energy markets

This research examines EU policymaking processes and the interaction between EU institutions, member states and non-state actors. It examines how climate and energy regulations evolve and interact, including emissions trading, effort sharing, renewable energy policy, carbon removal and land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), as well as energy market regulation and energy security.

Climate and Energy Transformation

  • Wind, solar and other renewable energy sources
  • Energy security, electricity systems and energy markets
  • Urban energy transition and implementation
  • Digitalisation and technology policy

This research investigates implementation and transformation processes across governance levels, from the EU and its member states to Norway, local authorities and industry. It addresses decarbonisation and electrification, energy system integration and decentralisation, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and the role of digitalisation and low-carbon technologies in transition processes.

Just Transitions Governance

  • Distributive effects of climate and energy transitions
  • Socially just low-carbon transitions
  • Inclusive and participatory processes

This research analyses the societal and distributive effects of energy system change and how to realise socially just low-carbon transitions through inclusive and participatory processes. It addresses issues such as energy poverty, prosuming, flexibility, household energy efficiency and the capacity to adopt sustainable energy practices.

International Climate and Energy Governance

  • International climate negotiations, within and beyond the UN
  • Key actors in global climate governance
  • Evolution and diffusion of emissions trading systems
  • Carbon market governance under the Paris Agreement

This research focuses on international climate negotiations and the development of carbon markets under the Paris Agreement. It examines the role of key actors such as the EU, China, the United States, Russia and India, and analyses how domestic climate and energy policy shapes international engagement and implementation.

Background

Research on climate and energy politics has long been central to FNI’s work. The institute has followed international climate negotiations under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol over time, while also analysing the development of EU, Nordic and Norwegian climate and energy policies. While early research focused primarily on international negotiations, the scope has gradually expanded to include energy markets, green industrial policy, carbon markets and just transitions.

Lars H. Gulbrandsen is the Research Director for Climate and Energy Politics.