Alice Hancock
@alicemhancock.bsky.social
Financial Times journalist in Brussels
EU climate / energy / industry / agriculture / transport
Views own. Email alice.hancock@ft.com
EU climate / energy / industry / agriculture / transport
Views own. Email alice.hancock@ft.com
NEW: The EU is planning to tighten its FDI rules in a bid to stand up to China's industrial might and protect its own industries.
www.ft.com/content/a719... with @barneyjopson.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/a719... with @barneyjopson.bsky.social
EU to tighten investment rules to stand up to China
Commission wants greater benefits for local workers and technology transfers when foreign companies set up in bloc
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
NEW: The EU is planning to tighten its FDI rules in a bid to stand up to China's industrial might and protect its own industries.
www.ft.com/content/a719... with @barneyjopson.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/a719... with @barneyjopson.bsky.social
Reposted by Alice Hancock
Russia exploits western polarisation to 'split us up' with political division in the west acting as a 'candy shop' for hybrid warfare.
Interview with Sweden's chief of defence staff ⬇️
www.ft.com/content/b9ab...
Interview with Sweden's chief of defence staff ⬇️
www.ft.com/content/b9ab...
Russia exploits western polarisation to ‘split us up’, warns top general
Sweden’s chief of defence staff claims Moscow is combining attacks on infrastructure with disinformation campaigns
www.ft.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Russia exploits western polarisation to 'split us up' with political division in the west acting as a 'candy shop' for hybrid warfare.
Interview with Sweden's chief of defence staff ⬇️
www.ft.com/content/b9ab...
Interview with Sweden's chief of defence staff ⬇️
www.ft.com/content/b9ab...
Reposted by Alice Hancock
The dark truth behind supermarket tuna on.ft.com/48ph7od
The dark truth behind supermarket tuna
Major retailers are selling tuna from fisheries where crews say they are exploited and abused
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:18 AM
The dark truth behind supermarket tuna on.ft.com/48ph7od
The EU will set up a "critical minerals centre" to co-ordinate joint buying and stockpiling in an effort to compete with the US in securing global supplies and wean off China.
EU EVP for industry Stéphane Séjourné tells @andybounds.bsky.social and I
www.ft.com/content/7096...
EU EVP for industry Stéphane Séjourné tells @andybounds.bsky.social and I
www.ft.com/content/7096...
Brussels plans minerals stockpile centre to stop US snapping up supplies
EU industry chief says bloc is becoming ‘collateral damage’ in race to secure rare earth minerals
www.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The EU will set up a "critical minerals centre" to co-ordinate joint buying and stockpiling in an effort to compete with the US in securing global supplies and wean off China.
EU EVP for industry Stéphane Séjourné tells @andybounds.bsky.social and I
www.ft.com/content/7096...
EU EVP for industry Stéphane Séjourné tells @andybounds.bsky.social and I
www.ft.com/content/7096...
It should take between 3-5 days to get an army across Europe but at the moment it takes around 45.
Labour laws, customs forms and crumbling bridges all need to change.
Here’s why w/ @laurapitel.bsky.social
on.ft.com/3K74IMw (check back for the interactive map)
Labour laws, customs forms and crumbling bridges all need to change.
Here’s why w/ @laurapitel.bsky.social
on.ft.com/3K74IMw (check back for the interactive map)
The surreal 45-day trek at the heart of Nato’s defence
[FREE TO READ] Europe wrestles with crumbling bridges, narrow tunnels and red tape as it plans how to move an army eastward
on.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM
It should take between 3-5 days to get an army across Europe but at the moment it takes around 45.
Labour laws, customs forms and crumbling bridges all need to change.
Here’s why w/ @laurapitel.bsky.social
on.ft.com/3K74IMw (check back for the interactive map)
Labour laws, customs forms and crumbling bridges all need to change.
Here’s why w/ @laurapitel.bsky.social
on.ft.com/3K74IMw (check back for the interactive map)
Reposted by Alice Hancock
In the Biden years, the refrain from Brussels was that the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) was so set in stone that any separate cooperative scheme with the US would kill what they were building.
Now, the stone is melting, via @alicemhancock.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/aaca...
Now, the stone is melting, via @alicemhancock.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/aaca...
EU faces rift over carbon border tax revisions
Planned changes to the scheme have split industry and trading partners just months before it comes into force
www.ft.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM
In the Biden years, the refrain from Brussels was that the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) was so set in stone that any separate cooperative scheme with the US would kill what they were building.
Now, the stone is melting, via @alicemhancock.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/aaca...
Now, the stone is melting, via @alicemhancock.bsky.social.
www.ft.com/content/aaca...
This is a super fab piece of interactive journalism on Saudi's Neom project from the FT visuals team.
Keep scrolling....
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
Keep scrolling....
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
End of The Line: how Saudi Arabia’s Neom dream unravelled
Mohammed bin Salman’s utopian city was undone by the laws of physics and finance
ig.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:05 AM
This is a super fab piece of interactive journalism on Saudi's Neom project from the FT visuals team.
Keep scrolling....
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
Keep scrolling....
ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-l...
The EU's climate chief has defended the bloc's just agreed 2040 target as "absolutely science-based" despite significant weakening of the goal by EU member states:
www.ft.com/content/0123...
www.ft.com/content/0123...
EU countries weaken 2040 climate plan in eleventh-hour deal
Member states, including Italy, make last minute push to delay carbon pricing and outsource emission cuts
www.ft.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:46 AM
The EU's climate chief has defended the bloc's just agreed 2040 target as "absolutely science-based" despite significant weakening of the goal by EU member states:
www.ft.com/content/0123...
www.ft.com/content/0123...
Sobering reading for the EU ministers trying to hash out an agreement for a climate target today from @kenzabryan.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/b3c2...
www.ft.com/content/b3c2...
‘Climate breakdown’: UN says world is heading for 2.8C temperature rise
Fractional improvement in projections will be partly negated by US withdrawal of plans to limit global warming
www.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Sobering reading for the EU ministers trying to hash out an agreement for a climate target today from @kenzabryan.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/b3c2...
www.ft.com/content/b3c2...
Reposted by Alice Hancock
Liberal D66 party set to win Dutch parliamentary elections, exit poll suggests on.ft.com/47fiLIJ
Liberal D66 party set to win Dutch parliamentary elections, exit poll suggests
The far-right Freedom party is projected to come second
on.ft.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Liberal D66 party set to win Dutch parliamentary elections, exit poll suggests on.ft.com/47fiLIJ
NEW: The EU’s plan to pool trucks and ferries to transport tanks and soldiers.
“Transporting a light division, which amounts to about 15,000 soldiers and 7,500 vehicles, could require up to 200 trains each with up to 42 wagons”
as.ft.com/r/470a9347-a... w @laurapitel.bsky.social
“Transporting a light division, which amounts to about 15,000 soldiers and 7,500 vehicles, could require up to 200 trains each with up to 42 wagons”
as.ft.com/r/470a9347-a... w @laurapitel.bsky.social
EU states to help each other move tanks across continent in case of war
[FREE TO READ] European Commission works on military mobility proposals if Russia continues its aggression beyond Ukraine
as.ft.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:06 AM
NEW: The EU’s plan to pool trucks and ferries to transport tanks and soldiers.
“Transporting a light division, which amounts to about 15,000 soldiers and 7,500 vehicles, could require up to 200 trains each with up to 42 wagons”
as.ft.com/r/470a9347-a... w @laurapitel.bsky.social
“Transporting a light division, which amounts to about 15,000 soldiers and 7,500 vehicles, could require up to 200 trains each with up to 42 wagons”
as.ft.com/r/470a9347-a... w @laurapitel.bsky.social
Reposted by Alice Hancock
To quote my friend @drkatemarvel.bsky.social, climate change won't make humanity extinct but we can do better than "not extinct". Raise your standards people!
October 28, 2025 at 8:46 PM
To quote my friend @drkatemarvel.bsky.social, climate change won't make humanity extinct but we can do better than "not extinct". Raise your standards people!
The EU has just announced a new plan “ReSourceEU” to stockpile critical minerals.
With luck, we published a long read on the challenge of doing that this morning ⬇️
on.ft.com/4qqJpWB
With luck, we published a long read on the challenge of doing that this morning ⬇️
on.ft.com/4qqJpWB
Europe struggles to catch up in race to stockpile critical minerals
[FREE TO READ] Brussels to launch consultation by year-end on stockpiling minerals crucial for defence and green tech
on.ft.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The EU has just announced a new plan “ReSourceEU” to stockpile critical minerals.
With luck, we published a long read on the challenge of doing that this morning ⬇️
on.ft.com/4qqJpWB
With luck, we published a long read on the challenge of doing that this morning ⬇️
on.ft.com/4qqJpWB
Super interesting verdict against Total Energies for claiming that it was a "major actor in the energy transition".
It shows the increasing success of litigation against green claims (even though the EU's green claims directive is on pause).
www.ft.com/content/4f3e... from @simonmundy.ft.com
It shows the increasing success of litigation against green claims (even though the EU's green claims directive is on pause).
www.ft.com/content/4f3e... from @simonmundy.ft.com
Europe has become a risky place for corporate green claims
Court ruling against TotalEnergies reflects wider EU crackdown on greenwashing
www.ft.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Super interesting verdict against Total Energies for claiming that it was a "major actor in the energy transition".
It shows the increasing success of litigation against green claims (even though the EU's green claims directive is on pause).
www.ft.com/content/4f3e... from @simonmundy.ft.com
It shows the increasing success of litigation against green claims (even though the EU's green claims directive is on pause).
www.ft.com/content/4f3e... from @simonmundy.ft.com
The US has sanctioned Lukoil and Rosneft. The first time the Trump administration has imposed direct costs on Moscow over its full-scale invasion.
Sets the tone for the day as EU leaders meet in Brussels....
www.ft.com/content/7bcc...
Sets the tone for the day as EU leaders meet in Brussels....
www.ft.com/content/7bcc...
US puts sanctions on Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil
Measures mark Donald Trump’s first effort to impose direct cost on Moscow over invasion of Ukraine
www.ft.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:10 AM
The US has sanctioned Lukoil and Rosneft. The first time the Trump administration has imposed direct costs on Moscow over its full-scale invasion.
Sets the tone for the day as EU leaders meet in Brussels....
www.ft.com/content/7bcc...
Sets the tone for the day as EU leaders meet in Brussels....
www.ft.com/content/7bcc...
Reposted by Alice Hancock
US and Qatar issue energy and trade threats to EU over climate rules on.ft.com/48BzIy5
US and Qatar issue energy and trade threats to EU over climate rules
Fossil fuel exporters claim investment and security of supply will be imperilled
on.ft.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:08 AM
US and Qatar issue energy and trade threats to EU over climate rules on.ft.com/48BzIy5
NEW: EU is planning to exempt smallholders from its landmark deforestation rule as well as delay it (again)
Commissioners are due to agree the changes today
on.ft.com/4nUtjTm
Commissioners are due to agree the changes today
on.ft.com/4nUtjTm
EU to exempt small farmers from deforestation law
[FREE TO READ] Revisions to law, whose implementation has been delayed, come after pressure from trading partners such as Indonesia
on.ft.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:49 AM
NEW: EU is planning to exempt smallholders from its landmark deforestation rule as well as delay it (again)
Commissioners are due to agree the changes today
on.ft.com/4nUtjTm
Commissioners are due to agree the changes today
on.ft.com/4nUtjTm
Reposted by Alice Hancock
“We see President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to Ukraine, all these efforts are welcome but we don’t see Russia wanting peace,” warned @kajakallas.bsky.social.
Europeans rush to Zelenskyy’s defence after tense Trump meeting
w/ @alicemhancock.bsky.social @andybounds.bsky.social
on.ft.com/48F4aaz
Europeans rush to Zelenskyy’s defence after tense Trump meeting
w/ @alicemhancock.bsky.social @andybounds.bsky.social
on.ft.com/48F4aaz
Europeans rush to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s defence after tense Donald Trump meeting
[FREE TO READ] EU seeks to secure deal on frozen Russian assets and more sanctions on Moscow to show support for Ukraine
on.ft.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:22 PM
“We see President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to Ukraine, all these efforts are welcome but we don’t see Russia wanting peace,” warned @kajakallas.bsky.social.
Europeans rush to Zelenskyy’s defence after tense Trump meeting
w/ @alicemhancock.bsky.social @andybounds.bsky.social
on.ft.com/48F4aaz
Europeans rush to Zelenskyy’s defence after tense Trump meeting
w/ @alicemhancock.bsky.social @andybounds.bsky.social
on.ft.com/48F4aaz
Inside the work of the EU's carbon pricing taskforce, which is encouraging countries to adopt carbon markets - and cope with the EU's carbon border tax.
www.ft.com/content/af03... w/ @simonmundy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/af03... w/ @simonmundy.ft.com
EU makes fresh push for global carbon pricing ahead of 2026 levy
Countdown to introduction of tax on imported goods from countries without an emissions scheme
www.ft.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Inside the work of the EU's carbon pricing taskforce, which is encouraging countries to adopt carbon markets - and cope with the EU's carbon border tax.
www.ft.com/content/af03... w/ @simonmundy.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/af03... w/ @simonmundy.ft.com
Reposted by Alice Hancock
💥 EU to double down on green diplomacy efforts and bypass Trump’s White House by working with IS states, NGOs and businesses, under new strategy drawn up by Brussels
New w climate queen @alicemhancock.bsky.social
on.ft.com/43ePcV1
New w climate queen @alicemhancock.bsky.social
on.ft.com/43ePcV1
EU to bypass Washington and woo US states on green agenda
[FREE TO READ] Brussels plans to work on clean energy and climate action with ‘subnational entities, business and think tanks’
on.ft.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:38 AM
💥 EU to double down on green diplomacy efforts and bypass Trump’s White House by working with IS states, NGOs and businesses, under new strategy drawn up by Brussels
New w climate queen @alicemhancock.bsky.social
on.ft.com/43ePcV1
New w climate queen @alicemhancock.bsky.social
on.ft.com/43ePcV1
Great work by @lauramdubois.ft.com breaking out just how much European MEPs earn in their side jobs — side jobs that often overlap with policy areas they work on in parliament.
on.ft.com/4okX8MT
on.ft.com/4okX8MT
Scores of MEPs hold side jobs in sectors where they steer EU laws
[FREE TO READ] FT analysis identifies paid work that has not been declared as a potential conflict of interest
on.ft.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Great work by @lauramdubois.ft.com breaking out just how much European MEPs earn in their side jobs — side jobs that often overlap with policy areas they work on in parliament.
on.ft.com/4okX8MT
on.ft.com/4okX8MT
Reposted by Alice Hancock
EU should combat ‘plundering’ China as ‘lifestyle superpower’, says aid chief on.ft.com/4ogZ5dd
EU should combat ‘plundering’ China as ‘lifestyle superpower’, says aid chief
Brussels aims to use its €300bn aid programme for geopolitical muscle, says commissioner Jozef Sikela
on.ft.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:14 AM
EU should combat ‘plundering’ China as ‘lifestyle superpower’, says aid chief on.ft.com/4ogZ5dd
Reposted by Alice Hancock
At his current rate he could appoint two or three in that time, surely
The French president could appoint a new prime minister in the next 48 hours, after last-ditch talks between political parties to avoid snap parliamentary elections. on.ft.com/4oa2XfW
October 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
At his current rate he could appoint two or three in that time, surely
💦 EU citizens could face a future of cold showers because a key element for hot water tanks has not been authorised for use.
More here: www.ft.com/content/adf5...
More here: www.ft.com/content/adf5...
Europeans risk cold showers in EU red tape snafu
Materials needed for enamelling of hot water tanks is excluded from bloc’s list of authorised substances
www.ft.com
October 9, 2025 at 7:10 AM
💦 EU citizens could face a future of cold showers because a key element for hot water tanks has not been authorised for use.
More here: www.ft.com/content/adf5...
More here: www.ft.com/content/adf5...