Governing the Energy Transition in a World under Pressure

About

In a rapidly changing geopolitical, economic, and technological context, delivering the energy transition has become as important and challenging as designing ambitious policies. The EPG Summer School 2026 focuses on how energy transitions can be governed and implemented in a world under pressure, marked by geopolitical tensions, economic constraints, and shifting political priorities, while striving to maintain system resilience, energy security, and affordability.

Over an intensive 5-day programme, the summer school offers an in-depth understanding of the structural challenges faced by today’s energy systems and the trade-offs involved in pursuing climate and energy objectives. Through lectures, interactive workshops, and site visits, participants engage with leading policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from international organisations, academia, and the energy industry.

The programme explores how energy and climate governance, energy system transformation, and the shift towards a clean and competitive economy intersect in practice. Particular attention is given to system flexibility, digitalisation, storage, grid development, industrial decarbonisation, and the evolving role of nuclear energy, alongside cross-cutting issues such as energy security, just transition, global supply chains, and policy uncertainty.

The summer school is designed for 20–25 Master’s and PhD students, as well as young professionals (up to 35 years old) working or studying in energy, climate policy, economics, engineering, law, political science, environmental studies, international relations, and related fields. Ideal candidates include professionals from public institutions, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, academia, and the private sector.

Beyond its academic content, the EPG Summer School provides a unique platform for peer-to-peer learning, debate, and community building, fostering cross-disciplinary and cross-border collaboration among the next generation of energy and climate leaders navigating the realities of the energy transition

Target group

The summer school is targeted for 20-25 master/PhD students and young professionals (max. 35 years old) studying/working in the energy sector or other related fields: economics, law, political sciences, environmental studies, international relations, social sciences etc.

As many of the summer school topics will be approached from a policy perspective, ideal candidates can be: employees of international organisations, public affairs professionals in business organisations, policy advocates from NGOs, researchers within universities, research institutes and think-tanks etc

Course aim

By the end of the EPG Summer School 2026, participants will be able to:

- understand the main elements and governance mechanisms of energy and climate policy frameworks
- analyse the energy transition through the lens of trade-offs between decarbonisation, energy security, affordability, and competitiveness
- assess energy systems from a system-level perspective, taking into account technical, economic, and regulatory constraints
- critically evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of energy and climate policy instruments in real-world conditions
- navigate policy uncertainty, political pressure, and institutional complexity in energy transition contexts
- engage confidently and constructively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- apply systems thinking and interdisciplinary approaches to energy and climate challenges
- become part of a strong international network of energy and climate professionals

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