#9 Regulators' independence on trial: lessons from the ECJ with Kaisa Huhta
In the EU, national regulatory authorities are meant to act without political interference — but how independent are they really? In this episode of the FSR Policy Briefcase (Season 2, Episode 9), hosts Leonardo Meeus and Emma Menegatti sit down with FSR part-time Professor Kaisa Huhta to discuss the evolving definition of regulators’ independence in the EU.
Drawing on Kaisa Huhta's recent Policy Brief, the discussion examines why regulators' independence matters, how recent European Court of Justice rulings have tested its boundaries, and what these cases mean for the future framework of energy regulation in Europe. Recorded in October 2025. Read the policy brief: https://fsr.eui.eu/publications/?handle=1814/92830
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CAPABLE: the interaction between research and policies - Episode 5
his is the fifth episode of a series focused on the findings of the Horizon Europe project CAPABLE (ClimAte Policy AcceptaBiLity Economic framework). The aim of this podcast series is to provide an overview of the CAPABLE project and draw attention to some particularly relevant findings.
In this fifth episode, how to ensure that research reaches policymaker.
The guest is Gaby Umbach. Gaby is Part-time Professor at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies of the European University Institute, where she leads the Global Governance Programme’s research area Knowledge, Governance, Transformations and heads the Interdisciplinary Research Cluster on Expert Knowledge and Authority in Transformative Times. She is also a non-resident Visiting Fellow at the European Parliamentary Research Service, Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Innsbruck and CIFE/LUISS Guido Carli, and Academic Advisor at the Institute for European Politics in Berlin.
Her work examines the role of knowledge, evidence, and data in governance, with a focus on statistics as a tool of policymaking, evidence-informed governance, data literacy, and sustainable development. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cologne, where she previously researched EU decision-making, governance, and policy coordination.
CAPABLE is a research project funded by the Horizon Europe Programme under grant agreement No 101056891. It provides robust, resilient and actionable recommendations for the design of socially and economically acceptable climate policy measures for 2030 and beyond, examining experiences, policy design and implementation solutions to identify strategies that can enable a successful transition. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union.
More info on CAPABLE: https://capableclimate.eu/
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#8 Brussels Exclusive - One Year On: From the Draghi Report to von der Leyen’s Union
In this episode of the FSR Policy Briefcase (Season 2, Episode 8), hosts Leonardo Meeus and James Kneebone reflect on Ursula von der Leyen’s 2025 State of the Union address and on the conference marking one year since the Draghi report, where Leo took part in a panel of experts.
The conversation revisits Draghi’s diagnosis of Europe’s competitiveness challenges and considers how it holds up in today’s shifting geopolitical and economic context. They explore progress under the Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal, particularly efforts to reduce energy prices, and assess the priorities for the year ahead. The hosts also examine von der Leyen’s call to accelerate the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels, the role of electrification in driving down costs and improving the security of supply, and her proposals for more flexible EU funding and decision-making.
Finally, they reflect on how these policy directions relate to Europe’s values and the consistency of the EU’s agenda in a global context marked by instability elsewhere. Recorded in September 2025.
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CAPABLE: The role of national unions in the Just Transition - Episode 4
This is the fourth episode of a series focused on the findings of the Horizon Europe project CAPABLE (ClimAte Policy AcceptaBiLity Economic framework). The aim of this podcast series is to provide an overview of the CAPABLE project and draw attention to some particularly relevant findings.
In this fourth episode, we explore how focusing on workers can help achieve a climate transition and keep public opinion on board.
The guest is Giulia Laganà . Giulia was a migration expert for fifteen years before broadening her focus to include labour rights and the climate transition from 2018. She has been a senior adviser to the President of the Italian Parliament and spent five years with the United Nations and seven in private philanthropy, most recently for ClimateWorks Foundation and previously with the Open Society Foundations. Giulia has experience of advocacy, policymaking, grant management and donor relations as well as communications. An Italian national, Giulia is also part-British and part-Spanish. She has been leading the International Trade Union Confederation’s Just Transition & Climate department since January 2024.
CAPABLE is a research project funded by the Horizon Europe Programme under grant agreement No 101056891. It provides robust, resilient and actionable recommendations for the design of socially and economically acceptable climate policy measures for 2030 and beyond, examining experiences, policy design and implementation solutions to identify strategies that can enable a successful transition. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union.
More info on CAPABLE: https://capableclimate.eu/
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#7 The Global South implications of EU ESG policy and how to make it more just with Mira Tiwari
In this episode of the FSR Policy Briefcase (Season 2, Episode 7), hosts Leonardo Meeus and James Kneebone speak with Mira Tiwari from the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies about how the EU’s evolving approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies is impacting value chains in the Global South.
Mira breaks down what “Global North” and “Global South” really mean in today’s context, and why the Global South’s agency is often undervalued in international ESG decision-making. Together, the group explores:
- How representation in ESG bodies can affect outcomes
- Why Global South participation in the policymaking process is crucial for successful implementation
- The potential tensions between commercial interests and ESG priorities
- What the EU’s recent regulatory changes signal for global cooperation
Drawing on Mira’s recent co-authored article, the discussion highlights key policy recommendations for improving ESG governance worldwide. Recorded in May 2025.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/environment-and-development-economics/article/reforming-esg-a-european-and-global-south-perspective/1323446BCF29A503EFA4E361ADBE0CCD
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