“Integration of environmental and energy policies towards net zero” – Dr Rosa Fernandez, University of Warwick, presenting at the Net Zero Conference 2022, ‘Research Journeys in/to Net Zero: Current and Future Research Leaders in the Midlands, UK’ (on Friday 24th June 2022 at De Montfort University)

1. Integration of environmental and
energy policies towards Net Zero
Dr. Rosa M. Fernandez Martin (Rosa.Fernandez-Martin@warwick.ac.uk)
Associate Professor, Global Sustainable Development
Net Zero Conference, De Montfort University, 24th June 2022

2. • PhD (Economics): Economic Aspects of Climate Change – Energy mix
for Spain
• Research Networks (UACES) – The Governance of Sustainability
• Horizon applications: Community Renewable Energy Projects
• Local impact projects: Food and energy poverty
My Research Journey into Net Zero

3. • The energy sector was the only one
where investments started only after
the Kyoto Protocol entered into
force (2005)
• Big lobby to government: National
Allocation Plans for the ETS in their
favour
Environmental investments by
Spanish industrial sectors (in Euros)
Source: INE

4. • Fernandez, R. M. (2018) Interaction of regional and
national environmental policies: The case of Spain, Cogent
Economics & Finance, 6(1): 1442092
Political preferences matter
Political preferences matter
more at regional level, where
more than two parties have a
voice – It also matters if
governments have absolute
majority or not

5. Integration of Environmental and Energy Policies (Bailed-out countries)
Portugal Ireland Greece
Political system Bipartidist Bipartidist Bipartidist
Majority/minority Coalition 2 main parties
(unstable)
Coalition 1 main party +1 or
2 small
Alternative majorities
except last elections
Integration
environmental & energy
policies
Yes. “Ministry of
Environment, Spatial
Planning and Energy”
“Communications, Energy
and Natural Resources” &
“Environment, Community
and Local Government”
“Ministry of Environment,
Energy & Climate Change”
/ “Ministry of
reconstruction of
production, environment &
energy”
Green party in
government
No. Local presence since
2013 elections
Yes. In government after
2007 elections. Left coalition
in 2010
No. Supporting Syriza after
last election
Green tax reform Yes. Env.TaxRev. higher than
OECD average
Very slow. Charge for water
usage to start 2015 (delayed)
No
Promotion of
innovation
“Coalition for the Green
Growth”
Not explicit No. Green growth
mentioned on Ministry site
Green
Economy/Green
Budget approach
coming from
external
pressures
(2014)

6. Integration of Environmental and Energy Policies
(Nordic countries)
Sweden Denmark Finland
Political system “modified two-party” Multi-party Multi-party
Majority/minority Coalitions between
several left wing or right
wing parties
Minorities with coalitions Coalitions of 5 or 6
parties
Integration
environmental & energy
policies
Yes. “Ministry of the
Environment and Energy”
No. “Ministry of
Environment” and
“Ministry of Climate,
Energy and Building”
(they were in the past)
No. “Ministry of
Environment” and
“Ministry of Employment
and the Economy”
(energy)
Green party in
government
Yes. In coalition with
Social Democratic Party
(parliamentary presence
since 1994)
No Yes (intermittently since
1995)
Green tax reform Yes Yes. Highest Env.TaxRev.
of EU
Yes (still subsidies to be
removed)
Promotion of innovation Yes Yes Yes
Green
Economy/Green
Budget approach
coming from internal
environmental
conscience
(2014)

7. Integration of Environmental and Energy Policies
(Germany & UK)
Germany United Kingdom
Political system Bipartidist Bipartidist (?)
Majority/minority Coalitions Usually majority gov.
Integration environmental
& energy policies
Relative. “Ministry of
Economic Affairs and
Energy” & “Ministry for the
Environment, Nature
Conservation, Building and
Nuclear Safety”
No. DEFRA & DECC
Green party in government Yes. First regional
government in 2011
No
Green tax reform Yes No
Promotion of innovation Yes Unclear? Further analysis of
industrial strategy required
Opposite approaches
to leave the crisis
behind
(2014)

8. • High level commitment but member states more concerned with
national matters
• Elections 2017:
• France – Macron advocating for renewable energy and a carbon tax
• Germany – Merkel not mentioning the ETS and saying that ‘climate
protection must not lead to jobs moving to countries with lower
standards’
The supranational level: EU energy policy and decarbonisation
Publication: Fernandez, R. M. (2018) Conflicting energy policy priorities
in EU energy governance, Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences,
8 (2018): 239-248

9. • Collaborated in two consortia applying for Horizon 2020 & Horizon
Europe
• Application of co-creation methods (bottom-up approach) & Quintuple
Helix Model of Innovation
Current research: Community Renewable Energy Projects
Source: Carayannis et
al (2012)
Publication: Fernandez, R. M. (2021) Community
Renewable Energy Projects: The Future of the
Sustainable Energy Transition? The International
Spectator, 56 (3): 87-104

10. • Researching provision of food and activities (HAF)
2019-2020. Impacts (children, families, schools,
providers, partnership boards)
• We cannot take for granted access to cooking facilities:
gas/electric, slow cookers, microwaves…
• Evaluation of those ‘governing’ the distribution of
funds
Current research: Food Poverty
Wirral
Halton
Cheshire West and
Chester
- Publications: Two impact reports published (2019 & 2021)
- Member of the Cheshire and Merseyside Public Health Research Hub

11. • Writing book: Economic aspects of the sustainability transition in
Europe (Routledge) – Context: European Green Deal
• Net Zero: Is it enough?
• Research into Net Zero needs to be inter- and transdisciplinary
• Focus on impact into people’s lives and the planet (economy is part of
the picture but should not be all)
My Research Journey into Net Zero:
What now? What next?

12. Thanks for your attention
Comments and questions are welcomed
Rosa.Fernandez-Martin@warwick.ac.uk