In brief | 16 February ‘26

Chatham House: Climate security should be a bigger priority at the Munich Security Conference

Anxiety over a fragmenting international security order seems to have pushed progress on climate risks down the agenda. But recent events show its continuing importance.

Governor of California: Germany, California pledge deeper climate cooperation at Munich Security Conference

California's governor Newsom and German environment minister Schneider emphasise environmental threats to global security and economic stability.

LA Times: Newsom tells world leaders Trump’s retreat on the environment will mean economic harm 

California governor uses Munich Security Conference to urge diplomats, business leaders and policy advocates to forcefully stand up to US government's global bullying and loyalty to the oil and coal industry.

The Journal: Ireland's defence minister says government disagrees with Rubio's Munich comments on "climate change cult"

Minister McEntee says US foreign secretary's statement at security conference laid bare "fundamental difference" in approaches.

Politico: Inside the week the EU’s climate foundations started to shake 

An assault on Europe’s most important climate law, the Emissions Trading System, took the fight against green rules to a whole new level.

Reuters: US conducts first air transport of nuclear microreactor in bid to show technology's viability

Military flies small nuclear reactor from California to Utah; SMRs seen as alternative to generators in remote areas, but waste problem remains.

CEPR: A silver lining to the European energy crisis: Energy efficiency, productivity, and potential output

Output decline triggered by 2022 gas price shock was significantly cushioned by endogenous gains in energy efficiency.

Bruegel: Better coordination for a more efficient European energy system

EU energy efficiency hinges on open data, integrated grid planning and aligned national plans as electrification raises the cost of fragmentation.