In Europe, lobbyists are using soaring fuel prices to make the case for more dirty energy

<p>The argument for transitioning to renewables seems stronger than ever – and yet, attacks mount on the carbon price scheme that underpins the EU’s success at cutting pollution</p><p>• <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/22/this-is-europe-sign-up-guardian-email-updates">Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here</a></p><p>On the one hand, experts say, Europe is better prepared for this energy crisis than the last. On the other, it is still waging a culture war against the most obvious path out.</p><p>Fuel prices have soared to ruinous levels since the Iran war left ships of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) stranded in the Gulf. The pain is most acute in Asia, but high energy prices are already causing panic in Europe. Shortages could hit the continent this month, oil company Shell <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/25/europe-could-face-iran-war-fuel-rationing-by-april-warns-shell-boss">warned</a> last week. Donald Trump’s “go get your own oil” comments on Tuesday sent prices to their highest level since the start of the US-Israel attack on Iran. They <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/apr/01/oil-tumbles-stock-markets-gold-bonds-dollar-middle-east-war-manufacturing-factories-news-updates?filterKeyEvents=false&amp;page=with%3Ablock-69ccc1bc8f0877c4498e4440#block-69ccc1bc8f0877c4498e4440">briefly dipped</a> below $100-a-barrel on Wednesday amid hopes that the war may soon end.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/01/in-europe-lobbyists-are-using-soaring-fuel-prices-to-make-the-case-for-more-dirty-energy">Continue reading...</a>