4i-TRACTION’s inaugural trimonthly Community of Experts Coffee Hour took place on April 8, 2022. The 4i-TRACTION Community of Experts is a selected group of about 50 EU and national climate policy experts. Together with special guest Luca de Carli, Head of Unit at DG CLIMA the Community discussed how Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine will influence EU climate policy debates as policymakers scramble to respond to energy price increases and reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuel exports. They discussed: what are the risks that the crisis might delay climate action or slow down negotiations around Fit for 55? And where can it speed up necessary change, such as fossil fuel phase-out or energy efficiency?

The 4i-TRACTION project aims to research and provide recommendations on how to shift EU climate policy from incremental change to transformative action towards climate neutrality. Regular exchange with the Community of Experts will inform the strategic choices of the project going forward.