Ortelius Navigator
In the Ortelius Navigator section, we cover valuable insights on a weekly basis on different topics of our expertise. Our main focus are climate related topics that have an economical impact and vice versa. This way, we make sure that our subscribers are up-to-date with the latest insights and news. If you are looking for a place that filters the essence of climate related news, the Ortelius Navigator section is for you!
After the publishing of our book ‘The Climate Shock’, we noticed the ongoing demand for further explanation and insights on climate related topics. In our efforts to keep the climate transition understandable, we try to educate people more and more with our weekly climate shockers. If you don’t want to miss any important climate related developments, this is the place for you!
Our latest insights
De Klimaatschok vanuit een Self-Sufficiency perspectief
Van moreel leiderschap naar self-sufficiency Enkele weken geleden bespraken we hoe het morele narratief in klimaatbeleid leidt tot verlamming vandaag,…
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Previous insights
What We Get Wrong About Data Centers – and How to Fix It
Data centers have become convenient villains in the public debate. They are blamed for overloading the grid, worsening congestion, consuming…
COP30 in Belém: small steps forward, big gaps remain
Two weeks ago, our brief outlined what COP30 needed to deliver: clearer national climate plans, stronger protection for tropical forests,…
Winds of Resilience: Europe must accelerate wind energy to stay competitive and sovereign
Europe’s wind industry has been one of its greatest industrial achievements. For decades, European engineers and companies have defined global…
Can the Amazon breathe life into climate diplomacy?
From 10 to 21 November 2025, world leaders will gather in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30). The…
Do you have nuclear fusion on your bingo card?
Nuclear fusion is the holy grail for producing energy: virtually limitless clean energy without the waste or meltdown risk of…
Why “Self-Sufficiency” will spark more climate action than “Moral Ambitions”
Three years ago, together with Geert Noels and Yanaika Denoyelle, I co-authored “Climate Shock”, a book in which we outlined…
Headwinds for Wind: Can We Still Reach the NZE 2030 Target?
Last week, we took a dive into solar PV additions in 2024, placing them against the 2030 NZE benchmark to…
Solar Surge Revisited: Are We Closing in on the 2030 Net Zero Target?
More than a year ago, our weekly Climate Shocker studied the global solar PV capacity additions for 2023 and how…
The Pragmatic Climate Reset: What It Could Mean for Belgium
Michael Liebreich, well known as the founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance and a leading energy opinion-maker, has last summer…
Strategic deployment of hydrogen and CCS: Ortelius’ view on Flanders’ energy intensive industrial transition
A recent VUB study confirms the difficult position of Flanders’ strong energy-intensive industry. This industry is the backbone of our…
How the insurance sector could become the first bottom-up driver of climate action
While (increasingly smaller) parts of the global population still question whether climate change is real, or at least how much…
Making Peace with the Wind Thief
A few weeks ago, a first-of-its-kind agreement was reached in the offshore wind sector: Ørsted, the Danish renewables giant, struck…
Hot cities, cool fixes: how to beat the urban heat trap
Now that the summer is coming to a close and Belgian rainy days are making a comeback, it’s worth looking…
Climate Action: The Middle Child in the Political Landscape
In recent years, climate action policies have been on the rise. With record-breaking innovation, newly installed green energy capacity, and…
Peak Coal: Still a Question, Not an Answer
Each year, the International Energy Agency publishes its World Energy Outlook, outlining plausible trajectories for the global energy system. Since…
Navigating the blue bond market: recent developments and future prospects
The blue bond market, a niche yet rapidly evolving segment of sustainable finance, is gaining momentum as investors and issuers…
The global energy spend: progress, gaps, and power plays
This week, the IEA revealed its 2025 World Energy Investment report[1], which brought striking news: global energy investment will reach…
Europe’s Lithium Paradox: Five lessons from the front row
At Ortelius, we recently had the pleasure of joining the panel at the avant-premiere of Peter Tom Jones’s new documentary Europe’s…
Belgium still has the highest electricity-to-gas price ratio in the EU
Heat pumps made headlines again this week because of a new analysis by Belgium’s energy regulator CREG. The conclusion? Despite…
Our new ortelius report is out: Battery Metals for the EU
Read the 10 key messages below — and download the full report for free We’ve just launched our latest Ortelius…
The EU’s critical raw material dilemma: Our new report drops next week
Europe has a materials problem. And it’s getting bigger. As the green transition accelerates and clean tech ramps up, the…
In Sync or In Trouble? Lessons from the Iberian Blackout
At midday on Monday, the Iberian Peninsula experienced one of the most significant electricity blackouts in recent memory. Both Spain…
Negative electricity prices are causing the bad kind of headwinds for the wind industry
In energy markets, few things are as counterintuitive as negative electricity prices. That’s right: a growing number of power producers,…
Charting a course: global shipping is on its way to get its first carbon price
Two weeks ago, we looked ahead to a pivotal moment for climate policy: the 83rd session of the Marine Environment…
Back to Black? Coal’s Comeback Faces a Cheaper Reality
This week, president Donald Trump signed a new wave of executive orders aimed at revitalizing the coal industry. The measures…
All Eyes on the Ocean: A Make-or-Break Climate Moment for Global Shipping
Next week, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) convenes in London for its 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee…
Local wins, global losses? Why responsible mining requires a global lens
As the world transitions to a climate-friendly system, demand for critical raw materials –essential to the clean and digital technologies…
Climate Whiplash: How water extremes affect our cities
On March 22nd, we celebrate World Water Day, a reminder of water’s essential role in sustaining life on Earth. Its…
While Trump hits the brakes, Europe hits the gas
In a world where defense budgets skyrocket, AI steals the spotlight, and geopolitics dictate the news, climate policy seems to…
Burn and churn or mine and refine? Why the clean transition means less extraction
A common misconception is that the climate transition will drastically increase mining. While clean technologies do require critical raw materials,…
Turning Waste into Opportunity: The Case for Circular Fertilizer in European Agriculture
Last week, the European Commission launched its Vision for Agriculture and Food. While some may – rightly or wrongly –…
Einstein Telescope: Unlocking a High-Tech Ecosystem by Listening to the Universe
This week, the publication of Ortelius’ long-awaited report on the socio-economic impact of a Flemish contribution to the Einstein Telescope…
The Competitiveness Compass: Keeping Europe’s Decarbonisation Plans on Course in a Shifting Global Landscape
The Competitiveness Compass, recently outlined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, sets a strategic direction for Europe’s economy amid…
The competitiveness of the European chemical industry
The chemical sector is a cornerstone of our European economy. It generates €655 billion in annual turnover and powers other…
Climate metrics that matter: tracking 2025’s progress
Last week, we examined the state of climate change and the challenges and opportunities that 2025 brings. This week, we…
Climate Outlook 2025: Navigating Risks, Seizing Opportunities
As we embark on 2025, it’s essential to take stock of our progress in addressing climate change. The past year…
From Batteries to Battleships: Navigating the Critical Raw Materials Challenge
Critical raw materials are becoming increasingly prominent on the global stage. Their role in transformative policies such as the U.S….
Key Insights from Nocturne Event on Market Opportunities in the Nordics for the Energy Transition
On Tuesday, December 10th, Ortelius attended the Nocturne co-hosted by Sirris and the Agoria Energy Technology Club, which focused on…
Why scientific understanding is key to tackling climate-related market inefficiencies
Market failure means the market fails to maximize societal welfare due to the inefficient allocation of goods and services. This…
Bridging the Climate Adaptation Gap: A Shortfall in Climate Finance
At the recent COP summit in Azerbaijan, world leaders pledged $300 billion for climate finance in developing countries, a figure…
Balancing the Costs of Energy: Transmission Tariffs and the Princess Elisabeth Island
Last week, headlines focused on the rising costs of the Princess Elisabeth Island and the potential knock-on effects on electricity…
Is the Belgian Duck Curve Growing Deeper in 2024?
Over the past few years, Belgium has significantly reduced emissions within the electricity sector by expanding its solar and wind…
A Festive Launch: Econopolis Introduces Ortelius at the “Future of Industry” Event!
This Wednesday, Econopolis celebrated the “Future of Industry” event with an inspiring gathering to tackle a crucial challenge for Belgian…
Funding nature’s future: status of biodiversity financing during COP16
The UN’s largest biodiversity conference, COP 16 is currently underway in Colombia, offering an opportunity to align global financing with…
Big Tech and Nuclear: A Match Made in Heaven?
As the digital age advances, the demand for data centers to store and process large amounts of information is skyrocketing,…
Wakeup call for offshore wind positioning
Europe plans to fill the North Sea with 300 GW worth of wind turbines. To call this is an enormous…
Global Electrification Surge: How Electrification Will Shape Future Energy Demand
In today’s energy landscape, it’s crucial to differentiate between energy and electricity, as their roles in final energy demand vary…
World Hydrogen Week 2024
As we continue to provide economic advice with a focus on climate, energy, and innovation, hydrogen has emerged as a…
Global Carbon Pricing: Moving from Fragmented Policies to a Unified Framework
As the world struggles with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, carbon pricing has emerged as a crucial…
The Role of Small Modular Reactors in Europe’s Energy Transition
As Europe navigates the complexities of transitioning to a low-carbon future, nuclear energy is re-emerging as a pivotal player. Projections…
Air conditioning could boost Belgium’s electricity demand by as much as 6.2%
As the Belgian summer nears its end, it’s tempting to think of cooler months ahead and forget the challenges that…
Global energy emissions hit record high, despite significant shift towards renewables
Renewables on the rise Global investment in clean energy technology and infrastructure is projected to reach $2 trillion in 2024,…
Five takeaways from the Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2024-2028
SolarPower Europe recently released a comprehensive report presenting key insights and updates on the global solar PV sector. This Climate…
10 takeaways from the Global Offshore Wind Update 2024
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) released a new report on June 17, 2024, highlighting key insights and updates on…
Eat Local or Eat Smart? The Climate Dilemma on Your Plate
Food production accounts for 26%[1] of global greenhouse gas emissions, profoundly impacting our climate. Alarmingly, if current food consumption patterns persist, we…
Marine Geoengineering: Potential and Challenges in Combating Climate Change
Climate change is a pressing issue that needs no further introduction. It is now evident that achieving the 1.5°C target…
AI projected to consume 3.5% of global electricity by 2030
Artificial intelligence has become more and more a staple in our everyday lives. With the introduction of ChatGPT, the wonders…
Belgium Tops Europe in Power-to-Gas Price Ratio: A Call for Reform
Our built environment is responsible for approximately 18% of the total emissions in our country, making our building stock a significant…
Is Double-Digit Day Nearing for Li-ion Batteries?
In the field of transistor technology, Moore’s law has long influenced expectations. It suggests that the number of transistors that…
The societal impact of dropping things
With the demand for green energy rising to enable the climate transition, all efforts go to the deployment of renewable…