Sustainability Briefing — 23 September 2026
Rising electricity demand and EU carbon-market adjustments frame today's briefing, alongside Norway's growing uptake of home energy-efficiency support and a new assessment warning that one in nine European moth species faces extinction. The Nordic Council of Ministers also outlined ambitions for climate-friendly conditions across the region's arts and culture sector through 2030.
IEA lifts global electricity-demand forecast, sees renewables overtaking coal in 2026
The IEA's mid-year update forecasts global electricity demand growth of 3.6% in 2026 and 3.8% in 2027, up from 3% in 2025, with EU demand strengthening to around 2%. It projects renewables generation to overtake coal-fired output in 2026, while noting elevated gas prices have pushed European and Asian prices to their highest since the 2022–2023 crisis.
Council backs extra free ETS allowances to shield energy-intensive sectors
EU member states set the Council's position on a revised law increasing free carbon allowances from 2026 to 2030 for sectors under heat and fuel ETS benchmarks, aiming to limit carbon leakage. The change draws on around 88 million allowances, which the Commission estimates at €6 billion in cost savings, with negotiations with the European Parliament to follow.
Norway's Enova window-upgrade scheme draws thousands of applications
Since its August 2025 launch, Enova has received 4,705 applications for support toward energy-efficient windows, about 18% of its total applications, according to NRK. The 2026 state budget sets aside NOK 800 million for home energy measures via Enova and Husbanken, alongside the fixed-price 'Norgespris' electricity scheme.
New European Red List finds one in nine moth species at risk
A newly released European Red List of Moths shows that one in nine moth species in Europe could face extinction, the European Commission reported. The assessment flags growing pressure on this often-overlooked group of pollinators.
Nordic culture programme keeps climate-friendly production as a headline goal
The Nordic Council of Ministers' 2025–2030 culture cooperation programme sets a goal that arts and culture actors have good conditions for climate-friendly production, dissemination and distribution of art and culture. It positions the cultural sector as a contributor to the shift toward more sustainable lifestyles.