The role of the state in providing infrastructure for decarbonisation

Decarbonisation will require quickly transforming the way in which we heat our homes, move around and produce goods. Much of the value creation in this green economy will be based on networks and platforms. Network infrastructures, such as electricity or hydrogen grids, will play a crucial role transporting clean fuels. Innovative platforms will also be required, for example, to manage complex circularity or the electricity prosumers integrated into smart grids.

However, the open question remains: who will manage these systems? Should governments take stronger control – through regulation or public ownership - in order to make sure that this crucial infrastructure becomes accessible to all users that require it? Or should governments dial back on existing regulations in order to provide private companies with stronger incentives to conduct investments into innovative systems?

In this session, our Senior fellows Georg Zachmann and Simone Tagliapietra spoke to Diederik Samsom (Head of Cabinet of Frans Timmermans), Jean-Bernard Lévy (CEO, EDF), and Laurence Tubiana (CEO, European Climate Foundation).