SEI’s Jindan Gong talks flipping energy crises into energy transitions on podcast

On the heels of publishing a perspective on how past crises can inform a present-day energy transition, Research Associate Jindan Gong appeared on the bilingual programme, Podcast and Business, to discuss Europe’s opportunity to secure energy independence.

In the context of Europe’s current energy crisis, Jindan talked with host JC Giraldo about how such events underscore the need to transition to renewable, affordable energy that could fuel the continent amid geopolitical turmoil and price volatility.

While European countries have set progressive climate and green energy targets, they have yet to be fully supported by policy, she said.

“Ambitious targets sound very nice, but they also need to be put into action,” Jindan said.

Meanwhile, European countries have applied short-sighted measures that further entrench the fossil fuel industry, such as investing in new gas fields and coal terminals.

But investing in green energy would not only help Europe’s energy supply; it would also boost the economy, she said. Past crises, such as the 2008–09 Global Financial Crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, showed how improvements in energy security and the economy work hand-in-hand.

“Green recovery policies such as investments in energy efficiency are effective in helping economies rebound and creating jobs and building towards a greener future,” Jindan said.

Listen to Jindan’s 12-minute primer on how past global events can inform a greener future.