The EU Energy Projects Podcast: Marine Cornelis - championing energy justice and ethics in sustainability

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, we explore sustainability and ethics in energy with Marine Cornelis.

This conversation is part of a special double episode, the first discussion of which will be published on the EU Energy Projects podcast, and the second on Energ’ethic, Marine’s own podcast that has been running for over three years.

We also delve into the opportunities for meaningful change that European Sustainable Energy Week 2024 - where Marine is a panel moderator - brings to the European Energy Sector.

Marine has a profound belief in making the energy and climate transition relatable to people. “If we only stay at the technical or business level, we’ll never reach people’s hearts,” she said. Her podcast focuses on giving a human face to the energy and climate transition, emphasising personal stories to engage people and demonstrate that they can make a difference.

When asked about her expectations for this year’s European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), Marine expressed enthusiasm, citing it as a great opportunity to connect with partners, clients, and potential project collaborators. She believes that the event allows for learning about trends and topics that concern European projects and the broader energy community.

Find more:
EU Energy Projects Podcasts
EU Energy Projects articles
Video interviews from EU Sustainable Energy week
Video: Governance structures for energy communities

A pivotal topic this year is "Net Zero Energy Solutions for a Competitive Europe." Marine finds it compelling as it addresses the need for an inclusive and fair industrial transformation in Europe. She highlighted that the European Green Deal and the framework it sets up are crucial for making Europe more resilient and leading in the energy and climate transition.

The recent European elections were another significant point of discussion. With parties skeptical of net-zero policies gaining traction, Marine raised concerns about public awareness regarding the benefits of the net-zero transition. She emphasised that the cost of inaction on climate change far outweighs the cost of action. “It’s good for the economy and the people to move forward and build more resilient societies,” she affirmed.

The conversation also touched on the importance of diversity in the energy transition. Marine argued that business as usual is detrimental to the planet, economy, and people. To build the collective intelligence needed for tackling global problems like climate change, diverse perspectives are essential. This includes gender diversity, racial diversity, and representation from various socio-economic backgrounds. Without it, policies may not effectively address the needs of all segments of society.

Marine pointed out the importance of engaging with diverse populations, especially those often overlooked, to ensure inclusive and relevant solutions. She mentioned that traditional panels still predominantly feature middle-aged, well-educated men, which limits the scope of solutions. By engaging with different demographics, such as people from varied racial backgrounds or younger generations, more comprehensive and effective policies can be developed.

Marine’s dedication to making the energy transition inclusive and effective is inspiring. Her efforts to bridge technical solutions with human stories and diverse perspectives highlight the critical role of engagement and inclusivity in achieving sustainability goals. EUSEW promises to be an enlightening event, and I encourage everyone to tune in and participate.