EXPERT TALK: Net Zero 2050: Why Technology Alone Won’t Deliver a Climate-Neutral Europe
In this contribution, Ronnie Belmans — emeritus professor at KU Leuven and co-founder of EnergyVille — shares his vision on Europe’s path to climate neutrality. His message is clear: electrification is crucial, but without the right socio-economic conditions, we will not reach our climate targets.
The core message
- Electrification is the most efficient route for large parts of our economy, from industry to buildings and mobility.
- Socio-economic policy – including industrial strategy, investment, education, and strategic autonomy — is just as vital as technological innovation.
- System thinking is essential: sectors like mobility, buildings, industry, and energy are deeply interconnected.
According to Ronnie Belmans, electrification is the backbone of a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. While electrification offers the most efficient decarbonisation pathway for key sectors, he stresses that the transition will stall without supportive industrial policy, strategic investments, a future-ready workforce, and smart infrastructure planning.
This message was also shared during the Torino think tank, led by Jean-Michel Glachant, where Belmans engaged with leading socio-economic experts. His conclusion is clear: achieving Net Zero requires a dual acceleration — on the one hand in technology, through electrification, heating solutions, and digital control; and on the other hand in socio-economic policy, through strategic frameworks, investment clarity, and collaboration that keeps Europe resilient and competitive.
From Fragmented Solutions to One Powerful Energy System
Belmans stresses that the energy transition cannot succeed through isolated technological or policy measures.
“We need to bring together technology, socio-economic frameworks, and cross-sectoral integration. Only then will we create the powerful, integrated energy system Europe needs by 2050.”
Technology as the Backbone of Net Zero
According to Belmans, electrification is the fastest and most efficient route for much of our industry, mobility, and built environment. Replacing fossil fuel–based processes with electric alternatives saves energy and reduces emissions.
Yet he warns that technology alone will not suffice. A climate-neutral energy system, he argues, only works if:
- Molecules (hydrogen, e-fuels) are deployed where direct electrification is not feasible, such as in heavy industry, long-haul aviation, and shipping.
- Flexibility is embedded through storage (batteries, thermal, molecules) and smart demand response.
- Electricity grids are reinforced in time to absorb the peaks and troughs of renewable generation.
But even with the best technologies, Belmans cautions, success is not guaranteed. Technological advances will only pay off if the policy and investment climate enables them. Without these conditions, we risk losing valuable time.
The Socio-Economic Accelerator
According to Belmans, the energy transition is also a socio-economic transformation. Within the Torino think tank, this became clear once again: without a solid policy and investment framework, progress will stall — no matter how strong the technology.
He identifies four conditions that Europe must address with urgency:
A. Industrial policy
We must strategically decide which clean-tech value chains to anchor in Europe and design targeted incentives to support them.
B. Labour market and education
The transition requires millions of new workers with technical, digital, and systems skills. This can only be achieved through large-scale reskilling and strong STEM education.
C. Financing
The investment wave towards Net Zero demands a smart mix of public guarantees, private capital flows, and innovative financing instruments. Without capital, there is no infrastructure — and without infrastructure, there is no transition.
D. Strategic autonomy
We need to secure access to critical materials and technologies and diversify our supply chains. This includes a strong focus on circularity. Otherwise, we risk building our future on shaky foundations. By shifting to carbon-neutral electricity, we reduce Europe’s massive dependence on fossil fuels and the uncertain supply chains that come with them.
Cross-Sectoral Linkages: The Heart of the Transition
Belmans sees one of the greatest challenges — and opportunities — of the energy transition in connecting sectors. In his view, the true value of technology only emerges when sectors reinforce one another. That is what will bring us to an integrated Net Zero energy system.
He offers some concrete examples:
- Mobility ↔ Buildings: batteries that not only power vehicles but also serve as storage for homes and offices (V2H, V2B).
- Mobility ↔ Elekcricity: smart charging hubs that actively support grid balancing through bidirectional technology (V2G).
- Buildings ↔ Electricity: photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, storage, and energy management systems responding to system needs.
- Industry ↔ Buildings: industrial waste heat used to warm residential areas via district heating networks.
- Industry ↔ Renewable energy: flexible production processes that can be continuously adjusted to the availability of renewable energy.
This kind of systems thinking, Belmans argues, is what makes the difference between fragmented technological fixes and a robust energy system that will stand the test of time.
Five Levers for an Integrated Net Zero System
Belmans summarises his recommendations in five concrete action points which, in his view, determine the success or failure of the European energy transition:
- Accelerate the rollout of renewable generation and grid capacity
We must rapidly expand wind and solar power (potentially complemented by advanced nuclear power in the longer term) and reinforce the electricity grid in time. Without sufficient grid capacity, flexibility through storage and demand response remains meaningless. - Develop a European investment plan for strategic infrastructure
Combine public guarantees with private investment flows. Only then can we deliver large-scale projects on time. - Make sector integration the norm
Encourage smart linkages between mobility, buildings, and industry through the electricity system. - Invest in skills and labour market transition
Without sufficient technical talent, we cannot build a Net Zero system. Training, reskilling, and targeted talent attraction are crucial. - Strengthen strategic autonomy
Europe must drastically reduce its dependence on external actors for critical materials and technologies. A strong European industrial base is not a luxury but a necessity. By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we free up significant financial resources and substantially lower geopolitical dependence.
Read the full report
Belmans concludes with a clear call to action: the path to a climate-neutral Europe requires vision, collaboration, and courage. Those who truly want to understand where the opportunities — and risks — lie can read the full paper, in which Belmans explores in depth the technological and socio-economic conditions for achieving Net Zero 2050.