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
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…
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Previous insights
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…
Blowing Away Expectations: Record-breaking year for wind energy in 2023
The release of the Global Wind Report by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) depicts 2023 as a landmark year…
Beyond 1.5°C: Global Warming’s New Peaks and What They Mean
This week’s Climate Shocker could only be on one topic – a pivotal moment in our planet’s global warming trends….
Flying cloud factories: planes produce more than carbon dioxide alone
In 2018, planes around the world, both passenger and freight, emitted 1 billion tons of CO2, accounting for 2.5% of…
Cracking the code of electric steam cracking
Modern economies are enabled by the industrial production of key materials. This industrial production process is often accompanied by high…
From Resources to Resilience:The European Union’s Approach to Critical Raw Materials
In the transition towards a sustainable future, clean technologies have emerged as beacons of hope in the global fight against…
No transition without transmission: our five key takeaways from Elia’s national energy debate
On a Tuesday evening, the consulting team from Econopolis made their presence felt at Elia’s national energy debate, a significant…
MIT wake effects optimization will spare us from building a wind farm the size of Flanders
Nowadays, when it comes to placing windfarms, be it onshore or off, more and more factors need to be considered….
World Energy Outlook 2023: Key Takeaways
The Econopolis Strategy team had the honor to attend the World Energy Outlook 2023 event in Brussels last Monday. Belgian…
Why We Should Be Talking About Sand
At first glance, with Sahara sand dusting our cars and beach visits leaving traces of sand for days, it might…
Biochar: harnessing nature’s carbon capture to fight climate change
Let us start by stating the obvious: climate change needs urgent action. More specifically, even if we stopped emitting greenhouse…
Less reactors, more cheese
Although nuclear reactors tend to receive a lot of public resistance, they still have an important role in the current…
The Winds of Change: Global Wind Capacity Milestones in 2023
Continuing our journey through the renewable energy landscape of 2023, this week we delve into the strides made in wind…
Rainforests at Risk: Can Economics provide the Solution?
Rainforests, the lush green giants of our planet, not only harbor unparalleled biodiversity but also serve as vital natural carbon…
Why the green transition train is the one nobody wants to miss
Countries all over the world are actively cutting their emissions to reduce climate change. Policies and laws around sustainability changed…