Wester van Gaal
@westervangaal.bsky.social
Journalist @euobs in Brussels - EU politics, climate, green finance, industrial policy. Formerly @vice @decorrespondent
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
Really glad to see this out! @apsmolenska.bsky.social and I give our account for @boell.de of why the future of the dollar is also crucial for climate policy
🟢💶🌐 New Böll EU Brief "Green euro rising: Positioning the euro as the world’s green currency", by @apsmolenska.bsky.social & @jvtk.bsky.social 👉 eu.boell.org/en/green-eur...
🧵👇
@boell.de @janalbrecht.bsky.social @antonmoeller.bsky.social @rasmusandresen.bsky.social @baseickhout.bsky.social
🧵👇
@boell.de @janalbrecht.bsky.social @antonmoeller.bsky.social @rasmusandresen.bsky.social @baseickhout.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Really glad to see this out! @apsmolenska.bsky.social and I give our account for @boell.de of why the future of the dollar is also crucial for climate policy
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
If you read one thing today…
Incredible months-long investigation by @lauravilladiego.bsky.social for @desmog.com & @euobserver.com delves deep into the ‘sustainability’ claims of EU’s 1.5 billion euros exports scheme, exposing a string of deeply misleading narratives.
Dive in here 👇
Incredible months-long investigation by @lauravilladiego.bsky.social for @desmog.com & @euobserver.com delves deep into the ‘sustainability’ claims of EU’s 1.5 billion euros exports scheme, exposing a string of deeply misleading narratives.
Dive in here 👇
🔴 NEW 🔴
MEPs Call for Urgent Review of €1.5 Billion EU Food Scheme Pushing ‘Misleading’ Claims
📝 @lauravilladiego.bsky.social 👇
www.desmog.com/2025/11/25/m...
MEPs Call for Urgent Review of €1.5 Billion EU Food Scheme Pushing ‘Misleading’ Claims
📝 @lauravilladiego.bsky.social 👇
www.desmog.com/2025/11/25/m...
MEPs Call for Urgent Review of €1.5 Billion EU Food Scheme Pushing 'Misleading' Claims
EU taxpayers are funding a multi-year campaign blitz which frequently overstates the environmental benefits of eating meat and dairy while featuring bizarre and misleading claims. Since 2017, the Euro...
www.desmog.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:14 AM
If you read one thing today…
Incredible months-long investigation by @lauravilladiego.bsky.social for @desmog.com & @euobserver.com delves deep into the ‘sustainability’ claims of EU’s 1.5 billion euros exports scheme, exposing a string of deeply misleading narratives.
Dive in here 👇
Incredible months-long investigation by @lauravilladiego.bsky.social for @desmog.com & @euobserver.com delves deep into the ‘sustainability’ claims of EU’s 1.5 billion euros exports scheme, exposing a string of deeply misleading narratives.
Dive in here 👇
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
Dit vat de prioriteiten in het economisch beleid van het afgelopen kabinet mooi samen: op de plek van de nieuwe cleanroom van ASML is illegaal mest gedumpt...
Heeft de BBB al gereageerd?
www.mestverwaarding.nl/kenniscentru...
Heeft de BBB al gereageerd?
www.mestverwaarding.nl/kenniscentru...
Bodem nieuwe locatie ASML vervuild door lekkende mestzak met ammoniumsulfaat
Een perceel nabij de A2/N2 in Eindhoven - waar chipmachinefabrikant ASML de komende jaren kantoren en cleanrooms wil bouwen - is ernstig vervuild geraakt door een lekkende mestzak met spuiwater.
www.mestverwaarding.nl
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Dit vat de prioriteiten in het economisch beleid van het afgelopen kabinet mooi samen: op de plek van de nieuwe cleanroom van ASML is illegaal mest gedumpt...
Heeft de BBB al gereageerd?
www.mestverwaarding.nl/kenniscentru...
Heeft de BBB al gereageerd?
www.mestverwaarding.nl/kenniscentru...
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
Very good interview and important fact-checking.
November 25, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Very good interview and important fact-checking.
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
I enjoyed my conversation with @janrosenow.bsky.social. I’ve learned a lot from his work over the years, especially his critique of using expensive green hydrogen for home heating (or baking an egg).
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
Why electrification, not repealing green laws, will save Europe's industry
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I enjoyed my conversation with @janrosenow.bsky.social. I’ve learned a lot from his work over the years, especially his critique of using expensive green hydrogen for home heating (or baking an egg).
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
Bowing Before Censorship
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Bowing Before Censorship
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
Electrification + efficiency — not rolling back climate policy — is the real path to a competitive European industry.
High fossil fuel prices hit industry hardest, not the Green Deal. Undermining clean-energy commitments would only push investment elsewhere.
euobserver.com/green-econom...
High fossil fuel prices hit industry hardest, not the Green Deal. Undermining clean-energy commitments would only push investment elsewhere.
euobserver.com/green-econom...
Why electrification, not repealing green laws, will save Europe's industry
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Electrification + efficiency — not rolling back climate policy — is the real path to a competitive European industry.
High fossil fuel prices hit industry hardest, not the Green Deal. Undermining clean-energy commitments would only push investment elsewhere.
euobserver.com/green-econom...
High fossil fuel prices hit industry hardest, not the Green Deal. Undermining clean-energy commitments would only push investment elsewhere.
euobserver.com/green-econom...
"VW is among a clutch of European carmakers attempting to replicate the speed of vehicle development in China by hiring local engineers, collaborating with partners there and by tearing down vehicles made by BYD and other newer rivals."
Interesting times.
Interesting times.
VW is now admitting that "in China for China", its motto of the past years, is really "in China for the World" (minus the US). Not a good recipe for German jobs and the broader economy.
www.ft.com/content/b772...
www.ft.com/content/b772...
VW says it can halve EV development costs with ‘Made in China’ car
German automaker is seeking to reclaim share in the world’s biggest market
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:57 AM
"VW is among a clutch of European carmakers attempting to replicate the speed of vehicle development in China by hiring local engineers, collaborating with partners there and by tearing down vehicles made by BYD and other newer rivals."
Interesting times.
Interesting times.
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
EU - and UK - need to realise that green approaches are the future & that trying to slow the regulations that boost these markets will only help Chinese competitors, as they are already investing heavily in the transition
I particularly liked this:
"In 10 years we will ask ourselves: why did we not show more courage? Why did we try to slow down technologies that will define this century? Europe is still very good at manufacturing. We should try to compete."
"In 10 years we will ask ourselves: why did we not show more courage? Why did we try to slow down technologies that will define this century? Europe is still very good at manufacturing. We should try to compete."
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 AM
EU - and UK - need to realise that green approaches are the future & that trying to slow the regulations that boost these markets will only help Chinese competitors, as they are already investing heavily in the transition
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
Absolutely. On climate, you can’t deregulate your way to the future. You’re just reducing pressure to innovate in an world where the status quo is bad.
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
Why electrification, not repealing green laws, will save Europe's industry
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Absolutely. On climate, you can’t deregulate your way to the future. You’re just reducing pressure to innovate in an world where the status quo is bad.
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
V interesting and well worth reading.
I would like to hear more about price differentials between countries. The change, and the increasing competitiveness of southern rather than Northern Europe is playing a role here I think.
FYI @johnspringford.bsky.social
I would like to hear more about price differentials between countries. The change, and the increasing competitiveness of southern rather than Northern Europe is playing a role here I think.
FYI @johnspringford.bsky.social
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
Why electrification, not repealing green laws, will save Europe's industry
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:03 AM
V interesting and well worth reading.
I would like to hear more about price differentials between countries. The change, and the increasing competitiveness of southern rather than Northern Europe is playing a role here I think.
FYI @johnspringford.bsky.social
I would like to hear more about price differentials between countries. The change, and the increasing competitiveness of southern rather than Northern Europe is playing a role here I think.
FYI @johnspringford.bsky.social
I enjoyed my conversation with @janrosenow.bsky.social. I’ve learned a lot from his work over the years, especially his critique of using expensive green hydrogen for home heating (or baking an egg).
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
Why electrification, not repealing green laws, will save Europe's industry
According to Oxford professor of energy Jan Rosenow, rapid electrification of Europe's industry, not rolling back the EU's Green Deal, will save European industry.
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:27 AM
I enjoyed my conversation with @janrosenow.bsky.social. I’ve learned a lot from his work over the years, especially his critique of using expensive green hydrogen for home heating (or baking an egg).
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
Here we talk about how electrifying our industries can actually make them more competitive.
"Brussels’ focus on market influence has become a dangerous blind spot. For instance, officials may treat digital protections as bargaining chips rather than a crucial bulwark of European democracy or a defence against foreign influence. That would be a terrible mistake." 👌
Europe in dangerous territory. Putting democratic protections on the chopping blocks for trade concessions invites a slippery slope. Increasingly tariff negotiations cuts at the heart of European national security.
www.ft.com/content/5820...
www.ft.com/content/5820...
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
"Brussels’ focus on market influence has become a dangerous blind spot. For instance, officials may treat digital protections as bargaining chips rather than a crucial bulwark of European democracy or a defence against foreign influence. That would be a terrible mistake." 👌
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
I don’t think the Rutte “daddy strategy” worked
November 22, 2025 at 6:01 AM
I don’t think the Rutte “daddy strategy” worked
"Last month Europe failed to agree on a plan to seize €140bn Russian assets for Ukraine. Under Trump’s plan that money would fall under US control which will profit from it. EU leaders are paying a bitter price for their failure to seize the initiative, an indictment of their short-sightedness."
The 28-point proposal being hawked around by America is so poorly put together, so vague, unbalanced and impractical that, in a more normal world, it would never have seen the light of day
Donald Trump’s peace plan would be bad for Ukraine, Europe and America
It is a sad mix of naked opportunism and strategic myopia
econ.st
November 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
"Last month Europe failed to agree on a plan to seize €140bn Russian assets for Ukraine. Under Trump’s plan that money would fall under US control which will profit from it. EU leaders are paying a bitter price for their failure to seize the initiative, an indictment of their short-sightedness."
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
on.ft.com/3XceXC8 Trump’s grab for Russian frozen assets puts EU Ukraine loan in doubt: ‘“It’s like a 1990s style mafia deal,” said Orysia Lutsevich, head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House.’
Trump’s grab for Russian frozen assets puts EU Ukraine loan in doubt
[FREE TO READ] Brussels blindsided by US plan for joint investment funds with Moscow and Kyiv
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:51 AM
on.ft.com/3XceXC8 Trump’s grab for Russian frozen assets puts EU Ukraine loan in doubt: ‘“It’s like a 1990s style mafia deal,” said Orysia Lutsevich, head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House.’
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
Fully agree with my paper's editorial on Trump. Ukraine needs Europe to stop flattering Trump the conman and take a clear stand for its own survival and values. www.ft.com/content/8ccf...
Trump’s world view: cynical, self-interested and money-grabbing
Latest Ukraine peace plan presented by the US would be a capitulation to Moscow
www.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Fully agree with my paper's editorial on Trump. Ukraine needs Europe to stop flattering Trump the conman and take a clear stand for its own survival and values. www.ft.com/content/8ccf...
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
The Netherlands talks a big game about tech sovereignty, but is now about to allow the domestic cloud provider that underpins its national digital identity system and several other critical government services to be sold off to a new American owner.
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Zorgen in de Tweede Kamer over Amerikaanse overname van DigiD-partner
Het van oorsprong Nederlandse cloud-bedrijf Solvinity komt mogelijk in Amerikaanse handen.
nos.nl
November 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The Netherlands talks a big game about tech sovereignty, but is now about to allow the domestic cloud provider that underpins its national digital identity system and several other critical government services to be sold off to a new American owner.
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Literally: “$100 billion in frozen Russian assets will be invested in US-led efforts to rebuild and invest in Ukraine.”
The corruption of these disgusting criminals is boundless.
The corruption of these disgusting criminals is boundless.
Point 14 shows just how much Trump considers himself to be the "President of Europe" right now (as he put it).
According to the 🇷🇺🇺🇸 "peace plan", 🇪🇺 would give the €210bn frozen Russian assets (plus €100 extra!) to the US, which would invest it in 🇺🇦 and receive the profits.
According to the 🇷🇺🇺🇸 "peace plan", 🇪🇺 would give the €210bn frozen Russian assets (plus €100 extra!) to the US, which would invest it in 🇺🇦 and receive the profits.
Trump administration's 28-point Ukraine-Russia peace plan presented to Zelenskyy
The plan, which is still a draft and could change, was presented in Kyiv earlier Thursday.
abcnews.go.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Literally: “$100 billion in frozen Russian assets will be invested in US-led efforts to rebuild and invest in Ukraine.”
The corruption of these disgusting criminals is boundless.
The corruption of these disgusting criminals is boundless.
V interesting. Eddie of ‘chokepoints’ fame basically saying the EU can only make a dent geoeconomically if it embraces its regulatory power (‘Brussels effect’ — haven’t heard that for a while in BXL).
“If europe wants to play a serious role it needs enforcement at the union level.” This irt GDPR. 👍
“If europe wants to play a serious role it needs enforcement at the union level.” This irt GDPR. 👍
Was chuffed to join an all-star roster for a chat on "China’s Hidden Chokeholds & Global Implications"
I brought the view from EU - thanks to the great Lizzi Lee for having me. Fantastic insights from Eddie Fishman (author of Chokepoints), Paul Triolo & Cory Combs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-53...
I brought the view from EU - thanks to the great Lizzi Lee for having me. Fantastic insights from Eddie Fishman (author of Chokepoints), Paul Triolo & Cory Combs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-53...
Rare Earths Are Just One of Them: China’s Hidden Chokeholds and Their Global Implications
YouTube video by Asia Society
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:11 AM
V interesting. Eddie of ‘chokepoints’ fame basically saying the EU can only make a dent geoeconomically if it embraces its regulatory power (‘Brussels effect’ — haven’t heard that for a while in BXL).
“If europe wants to play a serious role it needs enforcement at the union level.” This irt GDPR. 👍
“If europe wants to play a serious role it needs enforcement at the union level.” This irt GDPR. 👍
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
Te groeien of niet te groeien, dat lijkt de vraag in het klimaatdebat. Moeten we streven naar een wereld van overvloed of moeten we genoegen nemen met minder? Twee denkbeelden botsen in de strijd om de toekomst. www.groene.nl/artikel/meer...
In het debat over ‘groene groei’ staan de overvloed-optimisten tegenover de eco-idealisten
Te groeien of niet te groeien, dat lijkt de vraag in het klimaatdebat. Moeten we streven naar een wereld van overvloed of moeten we genoegen nemen met minder? Twee denkbeelden botsen in de strijd om d...
www.groene.nl
November 20, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Te groeien of niet te groeien, dat lijkt de vraag in het klimaatdebat. Moeten we streven naar een wereld van overvloed of moeten we genoegen nemen met minder? Twee denkbeelden botsen in de strijd om de toekomst. www.groene.nl/artikel/meer...
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
"We have a 2000s housing bubble level of financial engineering on top of a 1920s level of private unregulated lending on top of something bigger than a 1990s internet (or 1870s railroad) level of technology and infrastructure build-out." prospect.org/2025/11/19/a...
The AI Bubble Is Bigger Than You Think - The American Prospect
It’s not just OpenAI that looks overhyped. There’s a whole mountain of sketchy financial engineering underneath.
prospect.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:03 PM
"We have a 2000s housing bubble level of financial engineering on top of a 1920s level of private unregulated lending on top of something bigger than a 1990s internet (or 1870s railroad) level of technology and infrastructure build-out." prospect.org/2025/11/19/a...
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
The report, pieced together over three years by 142 researchers, shows Europe has become one of Beijing’s preferred destinations for acquisition in strategic sectors such as batteries, grids and chips.
China put €138bn into EU critical sectors, new report reveals
The report, pieced together over three years by 142 researchers, shows Europe has become one of Beijing’s preferred destinations for acquisition in strategic sectors such as batteries, grids and chips.
euobserver.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The report, pieced together over three years by 142 researchers, shows Europe has become one of Beijing’s preferred destinations for acquisition in strategic sectors such as batteries, grids and chips.
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
This piece of printed silk was once used as currency 💶
From my grandfather’s/great-grandfather’s ‘Notgeld’ collection - a type of emergency money issued by German cities during the inflation years.
Most were made of paper, but this silk note was printed in 1921 in Bielefeld, a major textile city ✨
From my grandfather’s/great-grandfather’s ‘Notgeld’ collection - a type of emergency money issued by German cities during the inflation years.
Most were made of paper, but this silk note was printed in 1921 in Bielefeld, a major textile city ✨
November 17, 2025 at 9:54 PM
This piece of printed silk was once used as currency 💶
From my grandfather’s/great-grandfather’s ‘Notgeld’ collection - a type of emergency money issued by German cities during the inflation years.
Most were made of paper, but this silk note was printed in 1921 in Bielefeld, a major textile city ✨
From my grandfather’s/great-grandfather’s ‘Notgeld’ collection - a type of emergency money issued by German cities during the inflation years.
Most were made of paper, but this silk note was printed in 1921 in Bielefeld, a major textile city ✨
Reposted by Wester van Gaal
A shutdown of the AMOC, a crucial system of ocean currents, “cannot be considered a low likelihood risk anymore in view of the evolving science over the past years,” explains PIK scientist @rahmstorf.bsky.social via CNN.
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/15/c...
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/15/c...
A crucial system of ocean currents may be on course to collapse. This country just declared it a national security threat | CNN
Without warm currents from the South Atlantic, Iceland would be much icier and stormier. Now, those currents are at risk of collapse and the country is preparing for this “existential threat.”
edition.cnn.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:50 AM
A shutdown of the AMOC, a crucial system of ocean currents, “cannot be considered a low likelihood risk anymore in view of the evolving science over the past years,” explains PIK scientist @rahmstorf.bsky.social via CNN.
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/15/c...
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/15/c...