In 2022, for the first time in many decades, the number of people in the world without access to electricity increased. The effects of the coronavirus pandemic coupled with high energy prices have taken their toll, and globally the number of people without access to electricity has increased by about 20 million to a total of 774 million people. Africa is still among the hardest hit continents in terms of access to energy. Could renewable energy be the solution to wider energy access in Africa?

Czechia, like other member states of the European Union, must increasingly deal with the socio-economic effects of Russian aggression in Ukraine and also with its dependence on fossil fuels. Against the background of the ongoing energy crisis, the burning issue of energy poverty is therefore coming to the fore, which traditionally adds a human dimension to the traditionally rather security and technical issue of energy.

Jordan is among the most dependent countries on the import of energy resources (mainly oil and natural gas) from abroad in the MENA region. Therefore, the import of energy represents a large burden on the state budget. Energy demand associated with rapid population growth is increasing by 3% every year. Booming population also adversely impacts the already strained water resources. Jordan is among the world's most water scarce countries. To address these challenges, Jordan needs to increase investment in renewable energy sources while reducing overall energy and water consumption through measures to increase efficiency. When it comes to electro-mobility, Jordan is considered a pioneer in the region.

The energy crisis, high energy prices and associated negative social impacts led to the initiation of considerations on the future of the internal market for electricity and natural gas and its ability to provide for the needs of households and companies in the European Union in the long term and at acceptable costs. Russia's invasion of Ukraine gave new momentum to the already ongoing discussions. The issue of energy security is coming to the fore, understood increasingly as independence from fossil fuel supplies from potentially unstable or outright hostile countries and regions.

Climate dividend is a redistributive tool through which people can be compensated for the increased costs of carbon taxation in the form of a blanket payment. How could the tool work in the environment of emissions trading in Czechia? Could the EU ETS, the EU's carbon market work for the benefit of Czech citizens?

The price of the emission allowance has more than doubled in the last year to the current almost EUR 90 per ton of CO2. However, carbon allowances contribute only 10 - 20 % to the increase in electricity prices for households and companies. The critical situation on the natural gas market is much more to blame. How are carbon revenues going to evolve in the future and how can the EU's carbon market help households in Czechia?

The Kingdom of Morocco's approach to renewable energy sources (RES) is exemplary, especially thanks to its solar projects, some of which are among the largest in the world. Renewables account for about two-fifths of all installed electricity generation capacity, and the kingdom is globally lauded for its steps towards decarbonisation. At the same time, Morocco covers up to 90% of its energy needs by importing fossil fuels, mainly coal and oil, from third countries, which ranks it first in North Africa. In order to ensure the country's energy security and reduce dependence on imports, Morocco plans to continue investing in renewable sources, planning to be the leader of renewable energy deployment in the MENA region.

Climate change affects almost every country in the world, and the MENA region, which includes the Middle East and North Africa, is no exception. On the contrary, the states in this region are among the driest in the world. More than 60% of their population lives in areas with high or very high surface water scarcity. According to Ferid Belhaj, the World Bank's vice president for the MENA region, by 2050 water scarcity in the region, mainly related to climate change, will be responsible for economic losses equivalent to 6 to 14% of GNP. What does it take to solve the water crisis in the region?