This week, Belgium witnessed a picturesque winter scene with its first snowfall. As temperatures are likely to rise in the following weeks, it marks a beautiful end of a two-week cold snap. This cold snap had its roots in the fascinating and complex dynamics of the polar vortex. To grasp this concept, let's delve into some essential meteorological concepts. During the northern ...

Food for thought: While driving through downtown Omaha with a CEO friend in 2009, Warren Buffett posed a question: 'Do you know what the best-selling candy bar was in 1962?'. When the friend said he wasn’t sure, Buffett told him it was Snickers. Then, he told him what the best-selling candy bar was now: Snickers. When it comes to food, it appears that brands can have enormou ...

The year 2023 has wrapped up, offering a vital opportunity to analyze the significant trends that have shaped the solar power industry. Last week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has provided preliminary data, giving a glimpse into the evolving solar landscape. Although final numbers are pending, the current data unveils intriguing insights. Two key observations already ...

There are only three sources of economic growth: population growth, technology, and the use of natural resources. In this article, we focus on population growth as an engine for economic growth. The relentless growth of the world's population seems, at first glance, to be good news for the economy. However, shifts in the composition of the population also pose significant chall ...

As 2023 comes to an end, it is a good time reflect on the past year. This year marked a significant milestone for our team, as we doubled in size and are now actively recruiting for our next team member. We had the privilege to work on a diverse array of fascinating subjects, significantly broadening our expertise in crucial fields such as industry, circularity, climate, the bl ...

This year, numerous offshore wind projects, particularly in the US and the UK, have encountered a challenging "triple whammy." This situation involves a blend of three factors: 1) escalating financing costs caused by increasing interest rates, 2) fluctuating commodity prices, and 3) persistent supply chain problems. Furthermore, until recently, the situation worsened due to gov ...

One year ago, Econopolis's Geert Noels, Kristof Eggermont, and I (Yanaika Denoyelle) released 'De Klimaatschok'. This book outlines 20 climate solutions to help Belgium achieve net-zero emissions and explores opportunities to enhance our living environment and economic standing. We transformed the book's content into a lecture series, engaging with government organizations, var ...

COP 28 After a year marked by extreme weather events and numerous broken climate records, COP28 is in full swing. Delegates from nearly 200 countries are convening in Dubai, with an unprecedented attendance expected to reach around 70,000. This gathering will see the evaluation of numerous new pledges, projects, and initiatives. However, as this COP represents the midpoint bet ...

Batteries are one of the cornerstones of the technological evolution of the past decades. They make every electricity dependent technology useable off grid. From using a simple flashlight, to calling family in an electric vehicle in the middle of nowhere, batteries provide endless opportunities that are taken for granted in our current society. A key restriction on this increas ...

2024: a pivotal year for geopolitical shifts and investor vigilance In 2024, nations that significantly contribute to global GDP are set for critical elections. Bloomberg Economics projects that voters in about 40 countries, accounting for 41% of the world’s population and 42% of the global GDP, will elect new leaders, reshaping geopolitical landscapes. These elections signal ...