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Successful energy transitions, also referred to as leapfrog development, present enormous prospects for EU nations to become carbon neutral by shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Along with climate change, EU countries must address energy security and dependency issues, exacerbated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising energy costs, conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and political instability. Diversifying energy sources, generating renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, preventing energy waste, and educating the public about environmental issues are proposed as several strategies. The study draws the conclusion that central European countries may transition to a clean energy economy and become carbon neutral on economic and strategic levels by locating alternative clean energy supply sources, reducing energy use, and producing renewable energy. According to the study, the EU energy industry can be decarbonised and attain energy security using three basic strategies, such as supply diversification, energy savings, and quicker adoption of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels. The energy transformation industry still needs to improve energy efficiency, incorporate a circular and sustainable bioeconomy, and support renewable energies, including solar, wind, hydropower, nuclear, and hydrogen.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become a symbol of the fight against climate change. However, in many countries, the market development of EVs is sluggish, and adoption rates greatly vary worldwide. This study examines the impact of Hofstede’s six dimensions of national culture on the development of the electric car market using sales data from 2019 and 2020 in 21 OECD countries. Results of (OLS) linear regression analyses show that uncertainty avoidance, individualism, masculinity, and indulgence have a significantly negative impact on the sales of battery electric cars, while long-term orientation positively influences their market share. The results indicate that national culture is an important cross-country factor that influences the rate and direction of the adoption electric cars. The research also explains how cultural values are translated into the purchase of EVs and provides marketers and policymakers with an insight into how they can increase the spread of alternative-fuel vehicles.

Pursuing various sustainable development goals is posing new challenges for societies, policymakers, and researchers alike. This study implements an exploratory approach to address the complexity of food security and nuance its relationship with other grand challenges, such as energy use and climate change, in Central European countries. A multiple factor analysis (MFA) suggests that the three pillars of food security relate differently to climate change: food affordability and food accessibility positively correlate with climate change, while food quality has a negative association with temperature rise. However, if countries switched to renewable energy resources, all three pillars of food security could be achieved simultaneously. The study also underlines regional inequalities regarding grand challenges and emphasizes the need for innovative local solutions, i.e., advances in agriculture systems, educational programs, and the development of environmental technologies that consider social and economic issues.