Editorial Energy and Climate

Today’s briefing focuses on the challenges of the energy transition in China and Europe. The new German government wants to massively expand solar energy and put solar panels on as many roofs as possible. But China dominates every step of the solar supply chain. When it comes to the raw material for solar modules, there are accusations of forced labor in Xinjiang. How can we succeed in guaranteeing a Xinjiang-free supply chain? And how effective would trade sanctions for products from the region be, as the new Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has already brought up? These questions are the focus of our analysis today.