Legal Principles for a European Green Energy Transition

Abstract

The green energy transition has become a top priority for the European Union (EU) and its Member States. In line with the long-standing recognition of the need for climate change mitigation, recent years have seen a significant intensification of policies promoting this transition. Furthermore, recent global events, such as the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have further influenced EU energy policy. These developments have led to legislative action on many fronts to facilitate the transition towards net-zero, but also to enhance energy security and resilience. This Special Issue focuses on the legal principles governing the European green energy transition, also in the light of major recent developments. This foreword sets the stage by exploring the nature of legal principles in general and by discussing specifics of EU energy law principles. Further, this foreword suggests a differentiation between a) principles that enhance coherence within energy law by reflecting its core values, and b) principles that facilitate the green energy transition by ensuring that legal interpretation aligns with its objectives. Last, the foreword provides an introduction and a brief presentation of the Special Issue articles, which are organized around the abovementioned distinction, and invites readers to explore the articles further.