acatech assumes leadership role within Euro-CASE: Two new European working groups on energy and soils launched

30 January 2026

With the launch of two new working groups on energy and soils within Euro-CASE, acatech assumes a central leadership role in the European academy landscape. Both working groups are led or co-led by acatech, with Reinhard Hüttl serving as chair or co-chair. In this way, Euro-CASE strengthens its work on key transformation issues at the interface of energy, climate, industrial and environmental policy and underscores its commitment to systematically integrating scientific expertise into European decision-making processes.

Working group “Energy Transitions in Europe” – kick-off on 30 January 2026

The kick-off meeting of the Euro-CASE working group “Energy Transitions in Europe” took place on 30 January 2026. The working group is jointly led by the Spanish academy Real Academia de Ingeniería and acatech according to the co-chair principle. Reinhard Hüttl assumes the role of co-chair for acatech.

The meeting focused on aligning the conceptual and methodological framework for a new Euro-CASE report. Building on the 2019 report (“Energy transitions in Europe – common goals but different paths”), the new study examines which assumptions and strategies have proven successful, where progress has been achieved, and which challenges persist. Among other aspects, the report will consider energy and supply security, competitiveness, energy prices, as well as new geopolitical, regulatory and technological developments. The working group brings together academies from seventeen European countries.

Working group “Soils: Synergising Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation” – kick-off on 8 January 2026

The Euro-CASE working group “Soils: Synergising Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation” was launched on 8 January 2026. It is led by acatech, also represented by Reinhard Hüttl.

The working group addresses the role of soils in the context of climate protection and climate adaptation, with a particular focus on the European LULUCF framework. Key areas of focus include measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), as well as the development of coherent policy governance and incentive mechanisms. To complement the scientific work programme, the working group agreed to develop a policy paper targeted at political decision-makers at European level.