Energ’Ethic - Climate Justice and Energy Transition

EUSEW turns 20. To mark it, Marine Cornelis sits down at the European Sustainable Energy Week with three people who have spent two decades inside EU energy policy: Thomas Nowak (heat pumps and buildings), Dušan Jakovljević (industrial energy efficiency) and Heike Winkler (offshore wind and the North Sea).The conversation treats EUSEW as a mirror. What it foregrounds, and what it sidelines, tracks whatever the Commission has in vogue, from hydrogen to carbon capture, often at the expense of people, consumers and energy poverty.What we get into:Why a convening that reflects priorities struggles to set them, and how limited slots turn the agenda into a zero-sum gameElectrification as the efficient core of the system, and the "primary energy fallacy" still used against itRe-industrialisation, green hydrogen and jobs, and where a top-down European approach might have moved fasterThe single market's unfinished business, and the real cost of member-state deviationsWhy EUSEW keeps talking to the already-convinced, and how to bring member states and silos into the same roomParallel agendas, from the New European Bauhaus to energy poverty and citizen advisory hubs, and the risk of fragmentationA stocktake of what changed, what was harder than it should have been, and what a fair, socially accepted transition still demands.Energ'Ethic, with Marine Cornelis of Next Energy Consumer: the energy transition examined through the people it touches and the systems that govern it. If you are working on a related mandate or research question, you can reach her at contact@nextenergyconsumer.euEnerg' Ethic goes out every other week.Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inboxReach out to Marine Cornelis via BlueSky or LinkedInMusic: I Need You Here - KamariusEdition: Podcast Media Factory Support Energ'Ethic on Patreon© Next Energy Consumer, 2026Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Why does the energy sector keep trying to explain, rather than designing better?In this episode of Energ’Ethic, Marine Cornelis speaks with Sean Layerle, Managing Partner at Baalbek Insights, about a stubborn reflex in the energy transition: the belief that low adoption can be fixed by better explanations.With 14 years in Silicon Valley and experience across five continents, Sean has worked at the forefront of digital energy products, demand-side management, and behavioural science, including roles at Opower and EnerNOC. Today, he supports energy and tech companies as electrification, flexibility and distributed energy resources accelerate.Together, they unpack why tech-first thinking persists, how behavioural biases quietly shape energy decisions, and why collecting more data rarely leads to better customer understanding.The conversation moves from early lessons in demand response to today’s challenge: designing digital products that align with real human motivations, not expert assumptions.Energ' Ethic goes out every other week.Marine Cornelis is the founder of Next Energy Consumer, a policy consultancy working on energy poverty, consumer rights, and housing at EU level. If you are working on a related mandate or research question, you can reach her at contact@nextenergyconsumer.eu Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inboxReach out to Marine Cornelis via BlueSky or LinkedInMusic: I Need You Here - KamariusEdition: Podcast Media Factory Support Energ'Ethic on Patreon© Next Energy Consumer, 2026Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode is a departure — in the best possible way.Instead of an interview, Energ' Ethic host Marine Cornelis takes listeners inside the speech she delivered in Besançon for the French Day against Energy Poverty. A space filled with people who meet energy vulnerability every day: social workers, housing professionals, energy advisers, local officials. People who understand the transition not as a strategy, but as the temperature inside a room, the state of a wall, the anxiety behind an energy bill.The speech is in French, Marine’s mother tongue, because some truths land differently when spoken in the language where they were first felt.In this reflection, Marine revisits ten years of European policy through the lens of the people these laws are meant to protect. She digs into what happens when efficiency outruns dignity, why energy vulnerability has nothing to do with a simplistic income line, and how equity reshapes the right to energy in a continent living through rising bills and increasingly hostile summers.You will hear stories from homes across Europe, observations from the frontlines, and a clear-eyed look at what rebuilding trust actually requires: proximity, responsibility, and the ability to confront vulnerability without looking away.This episode invites you to slow down.To feel the spaces where policy becomes life.To remember that energy justice is not decorative language — it is the condition for a society that holds.A different format for Energ’Ethic.And a necessary one.Listen to the full speech.Energ' Ethic goes out every other week.Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inboxReach out to Marine Cornelis via BlueSky or LinkedInMusic: I Need You Here - KamariusEdition: Podcast Media Factory Support Energ'Ethic on Patreon© Next Energy Consumer, 2025Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Europe knows it must move fast on renewables and grid infrastructure. But speed without fairness only builds friction.In this episode, Marine Cornelis speaks with Arthur Hinsch, Senior Expert at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, about the Fast and Fair Renewables & Grids Initiative — a first-of-its-kind European consensus on how to scale up solar, wind, and grid projects while ensuring that local communities see real benefits and have a voice.Endorsed by a broad alliance — from WindEurope and SolarPower Europe to Energy Cities, REScoop.eu, CAN Europe, EEB, and the European Youth Energy Network — the initiative sets out five principles defining what “fair” looks like on the ground.Arthur shares what it took to reach agreement among actors who rarely sit at the same table. He explains how fairness is not a barrier to progress, but a condition for it — and how a new checklist for local governments can help mediate tensions, bring transparency, and get projects off the ground faster.He also reflects on his own path from studying Japanese culture to shaping European energy diplomacy, and why, after steering this landmark collaboration, he’s taking a sabbatical in Japan to reconnect with long-term thinking.Highlights:Why fairness and speed are inseparable in Europe’s energy transition.The five principles behind the Fast and Fair Renewables & Grids Initiative.How local mayors can use the new checklist to talk with citizens and developers.What makes this cross-sector agreement unique — and replicable.Arthur’s reflections on collaboration, balance, and what Japan might teach Europe.Explore the initiative: https://fastandfairenergy.eu Energ' Ethic goes out every other week. Keep up to date with new episodes s=1">straight from your inboxReach out to Marine Cornelis via app/profile/marinenextenerg. bsky. socia">BlueSky</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www. linkedin. com/in/marinecornelis">LinkedInMusic: I Need You Here - KamariusEdition: Podcast Media Factory Support Energ'Ethic on com/Energethic">Patreon© nextenergyconsumer. eu/">Next Energy Consumer, 2025Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week on Energ’Ethic, we bring back a conversation worth hearing again. Stan d’Herbemont of REScoop.eu explains why citizen energy projects still face a “risk premium” simply because they are democratic. Ownership and participation are often misread by traditional finance as weakness instead of strength.As the ACCE project reaches its closing event on 7 October 2025, this replay offers the context behind our recent episodes with Chris Vrettos and Junior. Chris showed how ACCE has channelled millions into citizen-led projects. Junior reminded us that energy is also about hope and belonging. Stan sets the stage by showing why those tools were needed in the first place.What you’ll hear:Why democratic projects are still labelled “risky.”How public finance and guarantees can change the flow.Why communities deliver more than kilowatts: jobs, trust, inclusion.🎧 Cash Current is back to remind us that citizen energy is worth the investment.Energ' Ethic goes out every other week.Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inboxReach out to Marine Cornelis via BlueSky or LinkedInMusic: I Need You Here - KamariusEdition: Podcast Media Factory Support Energ'Ethic on Patreon© Next Energy Consumer, 2025Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

with Junior Mbangala, researcher at Oxford and policy analyst at the WTOWhat if the energy transition was less about infrastructure—and more about invisible connections?In this episode, Junior Mbangala introduces a quietly radical idea: the rhizome. Borrowed from philosophy, this root-like, messy, decentralised structure becomes a powerful lens to rethink energy systems. Not as neat grids or market mechanisms—but as webs of trust, knowledge, and social ties.👣 From working-class neighbourhoods in Liège to sub-Saharan Africa, Junior uses social network analysis to map how energy communities actually function:Who participates?Who holds influence?And who gets left out, even when it all looks inclusive on paper?Forget the top-down diagrams. Junior invites us to see energy not as a service, but as a social system. One where:✨ Knowledge spreads like a rumour🔗 Participation relies on trust, not just access🌱 Change starts in the margins—and travels sideways💬 “Each one, teach one,” he says. “The rhizome helps us grow differently—but together.”🧠 What you’ll hear:How network thinking reveals invisible power structures in energy communitiesWhy the “community” in energy community needs to come firstWhat Deleuze and Guattari have to do with just transition policiesWhy hope—yes, hope—is a form of energy, too📍This episode isn’t about electrons. It’s about entanglements. And how, if we’re serious about justice, we need to start mapping the roots—not just building the tree.🎧 Listen now. And maybe never think about “inclusion” the same way again.Energ' Ethic goes out every other week.Keep up to date with new episodes straight from your inboxReach out to Marine Cornelis via BlueSky or LinkedInMusic: I Need You Here - KamariusEdition: Podcast Media Factory Support Energ'Ethic on Patreon© Next Energy Consumer, 2025Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How can we ensure that the journey towards a sustainable future is inclusive for all? Join host Marine Cornelis as she delves into the heart of climate justice and the energy transition with Monica Vidal, a passionate advocate whose journey from environmental science student to leader at Can Europe is truly inspiring. In this enlightening episode of Energ’Ethic - Climate Justice and Energy Transition, Monica shares her pivotal experiences that shaped her commitment to promoting energy efficiency and tackling energy poverty through the innovative Build Better Lives campaign. As Monica discusses her work, she highlights the critical intersection of energy policy, housing, and social justice, emphasizing that a truly just transition cannot occur without addressing the housing crisis and energy access. She passionately advocates for ambitious EU directives that can pave the way for real-world solutions, showcasing how energy efficiency can transform lives and communities across Europe. With a focus on collaboration among social justice organizations, housing groups, and trade unions, Monica illustrates the power of collective action in driving meaningful change in the energy transition. Throughout the episode, listeners will gain insights into the challenges of implementing effective energy policies, the necessity of inclusive public participation, and the vital role that data and science play in shaping advocacy efforts. Monica’s approach to energy justice and sustainability reflects a commitment to not just decarbonisation, but to fostering a future where clean tech and renewable energy are accessible to everyone. She makes a compelling case for community energy initiatives and off-grid solutions that empower individuals and promote energy efficiency, all while creating green jobs and enhancing public ownership of energy. As the episode unfolds, Monica’s warmth and optimism shine through, reminding us that the path to a sustainable future is not just about technology, but about people. Her call to action urges listeners to engage in building better lives, emphasizing that understanding the complexities of energy efficiency and housing is crucial for everyone who cares about climate action and sustainability. Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation and discover how you can be part of the movement towards a more equitable energy transition. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from a true changemaker in the field of energy justice. Join us for an episode that promises to inspire and empower you to take action in your own community! Energ' Ethic goes out every other week. Keep up to date with new episodes s=1">straight from your inboxReach out to Marine Cornelis via app/profile/marinenextenerg. bsky. socia">BlueSky</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www. linkedin. com/in/marinecornelis">LinkedInMusic: I Need You Here - KamariusEdition: Podcast Media Factory Support Energ'Ethic on com/Energethic">Patreon© nextenergyconsumer. eu/">Next Energy Consumer, 2025Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What ignites a lifelong passion for climate justice and energy transition? For Shana Gallagher, it was the haunting beauty of the ocean and the stark realization of how human actions can devastate marine ecosystems. Join host Marine Cornelis as she delves into the inspiring journey of Shana, the Dynamic Net Zero Engagement Manager at the British Standards Institution (BSI). Shana's transformation from political activism in the U. S. to a pivotal role in the private sector underscores the essential need for corporate engagement in achieving ambitious net-zero emissions targets. In this enlightening episode of Energ’Ethic - Climate Justice and Energy Transition, Shana shares her insights on the significance of ISO standards as credible benchmarks for climate action. Discover the groundbreaking work behind the world's first formal certifiable net zero standard, which serves as a vital tool for organizations navigating the complexities of the energy transition. As the conversation unfolds, Shana candidly addresses the pressing challenges of greenwashing, emphasizing the urgent need for clear guidelines that ensure accountability in corporate climate strategies. With the climate crisis accelerating, the role of businesses in fostering sustainability has never been more critical. Shana highlights the ISO net zero guidelines, offering organizations a roadmap to craft effective net zero strategies. This episode resonates with the core themes of energy justice and decarbonisation, illuminating how companies can contribute to a just transition while aligning with global climate goals. Shana’s work exemplifies the intersection of clean tech, renewable energy, and community energy initiatives, showcasing how innovative solutions can empower businesses to thrive in an evolving landscape. Listen in as we explore the vital connections between energy access, electrification, and the broader implications of energy policy on our planet's future. Shana’s unique perspective not only sheds light on the corporate side of climate action but also inspires hope through frugal innovation and the pursuit of green jobs. This episode of Energ’Ethic is a clarion call for all stakeholders—business leaders, policymakers, and individuals—to engage actively in the energy transition, ensuring that we leave a sustainable world for future generations. Tune in and be part of the change! Energ' Ethic goes out every other week. Keep up to date with new episodes s=1">straight from your inboxReach out to Marine Cornelis via app/profile/marinenextenerg. bsky. socia">BlueSky</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www. linkedin. com/in/marinecornelis">LinkedInMusic: I Need You Here - KamariusEdition: Podcast Media Factory Support Energ'Ethic on com/Energethic">Patreon© nextenergyconsumer. eu/">Next Energy Consumer, 2025Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.