#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.

HKRITA signs MoU with Jeanologia and Looptworks to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) yesterday officially signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two key global partners, Jeanologia and Looptworks, to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem – a first-of-its-kind collaboration to accelerate the large-scale recycling of blended textiles.

Textile Exchange unveils agenda for 2026 conference in Vancouver

Textile Exchange has released the agenda for its 2026 Conference, which will take place from October 12–16 in Vancouver, Canada. Under the theme “The Implementation Era,” the event will focus on translating sustainability commitments into practical action and scaling solutions across businesses, supply systems, and landscapes.

Textile PRO Forum calls for greater harmonisation of textile EPR systems across Europe

The Textile PRO Forum has published a new analysis highlighting the need for greater harmonisation of textile Extended Producer Responsibility systems across Europe. The document, Toward harmonised Textile EPR Systems in Europe: analysis and recommendations, presents the results of work carried out by Workstream 1 of the Textile PRO Forum, led by Dr. Eng. Viola Corbellini, Strategic Development and Innovation Expert at Erion Textiles, and Eng. Luca Campadello, General Director at Erion Textiles. The workstream focused on reducing administrative burden for textile producers by identifying areas where procedures could be better aligned across countries.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.