#Sustainability

2026-07-02

Renewables lower energy prices and play key role to reduce vulnerability to fossil fuel supply shocks

Renewables lower energy prices and play key role to reduce vulnerability to fossil fuel supply shocks Boosting the use of homegrown renewable electricity is Europe’s best way to reduce its vulnerability to volatile international energy supplies and rising energy prices according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment published today.

Global gas price spikes this year cost the European Union an additional €13 billion by mid-April, while renewables saved €29 billion. This means renewable energy sources are already shielding Europe from price shocks — and could do so far more — acting as a powerful buffer against gas price volatility, as highlighted in the EEA briefing ‘Renewable electricity: best buffer against gas price volatility'.

Europe’s fossil vulnerability

With around 85% of all gas and 97% of all oil products consumed in the EU in 2024 imported, Europe remains exposed to externa supply shocks with direct implications for competitiveness and strategic autonomy. This continued dependence on fossil fuel imports means European consumers are paying a considerable gas volatility premium especially in wake of external political and economic shocks. In the last five years these have included the war in Ukraine and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the recent the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

Renewables: Europe’s future proofing on prices and beyond

Stepping up the deployment of renewables like wind and solar, could lessen Europe’s fossil fuel import dependence and prevent a potential 125% rise in wholesale prices by 2030, according to the briefing which involves assessing price and renewable rollout scenarios. This is based on a 68% growth of renewable energy use of total EU electricity generation, according to projections from EU Member States in the most recent 10-year network development plans.

The EEA briefing cautions, however, that renewables alone will not deliver price gains. As renewable electricity shares rise, price benefits increasingly depend on grids, storage and demand response to integrate variable solar and wind. Faster electrification of buildings, transport and industry must be matched by parallel progress in renewables, grids, storage, efficiency and demand response to avoid locking in additional gas-fired capacity.

Balanced progress across supply, demand, grids and storage — supported by pricing that favours electrification — is essential to deliver sustained price reductions, the briefing says.

These measures are explored at greater detail in the EEA report ‘Renewables, electrification and flexibility -

For a competitive EU energy system transformation by 2030’.

Circular economy offers the EU win-win on environment and economy

Stepping up a circular economy offers the European Union the potential for significant positive impacts on Europe’s environment and poses an untapped and strategic economic opportunity in terms of better access to materials and the creation of new businesses. Three new assessments on circularity, published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA), also stress the need to accelerate investment in circularity efforts to meet EU climate and environment policy targets.

State of Europe’s environment not good: threats to nature and impacts of climate change top challenges

State of Europe’s environment not good: threats to nature and impacts of climate change top challenges Significant progress has been made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, but the overall state of Europe’s environment is not good, especially its nature which continues to face degradation, overexploitation and biodiversity loss. The impacts of accelerating climate change are also an urgent challenge, according to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) most comprehensive, ‘state of environment’ report, published today. The outlook for most environmental trends is concerning and poses major risks to Europe’s economic prosperity, security and quality of life.

What are the impacts of PFAS polymers on our health and the environment?

The widespread use of PFAS polymers in everything from consumer products to green technologies can lead to contamination of water, air, soil, food and people. A European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment, published today, says that these chemicals can also contribute to global warming and ozone depletion.

Updated supply chain taxonomy advances apparel alignment

The apparel alliance (Apparel Impact Institute, Cascale, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC Foundation) today announced the launch of Version 2 of the Supply Chain Taxonomy, an updated harmonized framework designed to improve consistency, transparency, and collaboration across the textile, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) sectors of the broader apparel industry.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.