U.S. tariffs and global energy security: protective shield or destabilising force?

The United States’ renewed tariffs on steel, turbines, drilling equipment, solar panels, and other critical components have intensified debate on whether trade protectionism is a safeguard or a stumbling block for energy security.

Supporters argue tariffs defend domestic industries across the energy value chain, from hydrocarbons to renewables, while reducing exposure to volatile suppliers and, critically, reinforcing the U.S. role as a provider of energy security to allies through LNG exports and dependable supply chains. Critics counter that tariffs inflate costs, delay infrastructure rollout, and fracture the global cooperation required to scale clean technologies at pace.

Debate positions:

• Pro-tariffs: Tariffs shield U.S. jobs, secure industrial independence, and serve as part of a broader toolkit that allows the U.S. to deliver reliable energy and resilience not only at home but also to its allies.
• Against tariffs: Tariffs raise project costs, disrupt renewable timelines, and risk undermining the international trust and collaboration essential to accelerating the transition.

Attendee insights: 

This debate examines whether tariff barriers are a strategic lever that underpins U.S. and allied resilience in a fragmented world, or whether they risk splintering global clean energy progress at a critical juncture. Attendees will gain contrasting perspectives from policymakers and investors on the trade-offs between protectionism, cooperation, and global leadership in shaping the secure, affordable, and low-carbon energy system of the future.

Delivering a low carbon maritime future: making sense of the evolving regulations

New policy frameworks are steering the maritime industry towards net-zero, highlighted by key agreements at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The consensus from MEPC 81, on measures such as the GHG Fuel Standard and Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) framework, has set the stage for stringent regulations by 2025, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Yet, the question remains: do these regulatory advances possess sufficient strength to propel the industry towards decarbonisation? To avoid a fragmented regulatory environment and steer towards a cohesive global approach, proactive innovation from all stakeholders to adapt to new operational realities and accountability will be essential.

Attendee insights:

Gain insights into the evolving maritime decarbonisation policy frameworks, what the industry can expect in the near-term from a regulatory perspective and how increasingly stringent measures are impacting stakeholders across the maritime value chain.

Midstream matters: developing infrastructure for transporting and storing hydrogen

To enable a global low-carbon hydrogen market independent on hydrogen hub models, it is critical to solve the challenge of transporting hydrogen over long distances. Moving hydrogen, especially via pipelines and ships, presents challenges due to its low density, which requires either high-pressure compression or liquefaction to make it economically viable. Additionally, hydrogen's small molecule size leads to high rates of embrittlement and leakage, posing further challenges for pipeline material integrity and safety. To build out an effective hydrogen infrastructure system, advances in pipeline technology, robust safety protocols, and international standards for hydrogen handling are essential. Alongside these technical improvements, the implementation of supportive policies and financial incentives will be crucial to stimulate private sector investment in hydrogen transport and storage projects.

Attendee insights:

Understand the technical and economic barriers to scalable hydrogen transportation and storage networks, the innovations needed to overcome hydrogen's unique challenges and the strategies for integrating these solutions into a coherent infrastructure framework.