About

Policy Driven is a podcast produced by Green Mobility Magazine in collaboration with Wattsup!, focused on global transport and mobility policy. Hosted by Mark Watts, founder of Wattsup!, and Thomas Jérémie Hayden-Lefebvre, Editor-in-Chief of Green Mobility Magazine, the podcast features in-depth discussions with policymakers, industry leaders, and experts on regulatory developments, market trends, and strategic challenges shaping the future of transport, energy, and industrial transition.

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Episodes

Can Europe Lead Electric Aviation? | Electric Aircraft, Industrial Sovereignty and the Future of Flight – Episode 8

In this episode of Policy Driven, Tom and Mark examine the emergence of electric aviation as Europe seeks to decarbonise regional air transport while strengthening the competitiveness of its aerospace industry.

They are joined by Alessia Affinito, EU Public Affairs Manager at VÆRIDION, and Antoine Toulemont, European & International Affairs Adviser at AURA AERO, to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the commercial deployment of electric aircraft in Europe.

The conversation explores the technological and regulatory hurdles that must be overcome before electric aviation can reach commercial scale, including aircraft certification, battery technology, airport charging infrastructure and operational considerations. It also examines the role of electric aircraft within the wider aviation decarbonisation landscape, their relationship with sustainable aviation fuels, and the potential contribution of electric regional aviation to improving connectivity across Europe.

Against the backdrop of increasing international competition, the discussion concludes by considering Europe’s industrial strategy, the race with the United States and China to commercialise new aviation technologies, and the policy measures needed before 2030 to establish European leadership in the next generation of sustainable flight.

IMO MEPC 84, Maritime Decarbonisation and the Future of Global Shipping Rules – Episode 7

In this episode of Policy Driven, Tom and Mark examine the outcomes of the International Maritime Organization’s MEPC 84 negotiations at a moment of growing uncertainty around global shipping decarbonisation and international climate cooperation.

They are joined by Fanny Devaux, Director of Shipping at Transport & Environment, to discuss the current state of the IMO’s proposed Net Zero Framework and the political divisions that continue to shape negotiations on maritime emissions.

The conversation explores the structure of the proposed framework, including the interaction between global fuel standards, emissions pricing and the planned IMO Net Zero Fund, before turning to the broader geopolitical tensions that emerged during the negotiations. The episode also examines the relationship between the IMO process and the European Union’s regulatory framework, including the EU Emissions Trading System and FuelEU Maritime.

With questions around investment certainty, fuel pathways and international alignment increasingly coming into focus, the discussion concludes by assessing whether the sector is moving towards a genuinely global regulatory framework or a longer-term coexistence between regional and international systems.

Aviation, Climate Law and Global Carbon Markets – Episode 6

In this episode of Policy Driven, Tom and Mark open the year with a discussion on aviation, climate law and international regulation at a moment of mounting political and legal pressure on decarbonisation frameworks. 

They are joined by Steven Truxal, Professor of Air and Space Law and Director of the International Institute of Air and Space Law at Leiden University, and Garry Pratama, a doctoral researcher examining the interaction between regional and global approaches to aviation emissions.

The conversation explores the distinctive legal and political features of aviation, before turning to the current operation and forthcoming review of the EU Emissions Trading System for aviation. The episode examines the coexistence and tensions between the EU ETS and International Civil Aviation Organization’s CORSIA scheme, as well as the legal challenges emerging from the implementation of ReFuelEU Aviation.

With international dynamics and US opposition in view, the discussion concludes by assessing where the principal legal risks for aviation actors may arise in the run-up to 2030, including litigation exposure, compliance uncertainty and the potential for renewed geopolitical friction

Cycling and the Future of Mobility – Episode 5

In the fifth episode of Policy Driven, co-hosts Tom and Mark are joined by Laurianne Krid, the new Chief Executive Officer of the European Cyclists’ Federation.

Laurianne reflects on her fifteen-year journey through European mobility, from her early work across international organisations and her leadership at FIA Region I to her decision to take the helm at ECF. The discussion examines cycling’s rapid rise in the policy debate, the significance of the European Cycling Declaration and the momentum shown in the Commission’s first progress report.

Against the backdrop of growing investment, rising ridership and renewed interest in active mobility, the episode considers what Europe must do to unlock cycling’s full potential.

Sustainable Tourism
– Episode 4

In the fourth episode of Policy Driven, co-hosts Tom and Mark are joined by entrepreneur and strategist Louis Lammertyn, co-founder of BookBetter and a founding member of the Green Mobility Magazine Editorial Board. Together they explore how travel and tourism can align with Europe’s climate ambitions while remaining accessible, affordable and enjoyable.

The discussion ranges from Louis’s early work with Moonlight Express, Belgium’s first night train operator, to his current efforts to decarbonise tourism through sustainable aviation fuels and more mindful travel choices. Against the backdrop of record visitor numbers, new players such as Nox Mobility, and growing public concern about over-tourism, the episode asks how Europe can make low-carbon tourism both practical and desirable, and what it will take to achieve it.

Communicating Sustainability
– Episode 3

In the third episode of Policy Driven, co-hosts Mark and Tom sit down with Kevin Hiney, Communications Director at Airlines for Europe (A4E), to unpack the art—and challenge—of communicating complex policy in Brussels. From aviation emissions to regulatory roadmaps, Kevin reflects on what it takes to make industry messages resonate with EU policymakers, the media, and the broader public.

The conversation examines how trust, timing, and clarity influence effective policy communications within the EU bubble. Kevin also shares insights into navigating political sensitivities, aligning with broader sustainability narratives, and the evolving role of communicators in an era of fast-moving regulation and public scrutiny.

Driving Change in the Automotive Sector
– Episode 2

In the second episode of “Policy Driven,” co-hosts Mark and Tom are joined by Julia Poliscanova, Senior Director for Vehicles & Emobility Supply Chains at the Green NGO Transport & Environment in Brussels. The conversation explores Julia’s journey in transport and mobility, her academic and professional experiences in the UK, and the role Western markets like the UK and Canada play in influencing global transport decarbonisation policy.

The episode delves into the EU’s Strategic Dialogue on the Automotive Sector and the subsequent Action Plan, highlighting how current EU legislation has fallen short in incentivising gradual decarbonisation. Julia explores the pressures facing the automotive sector and emphasises the need for a comprehensive and robust approach to decarbonisation by securing and supporting the EV supply chain.

The Clean Industrial Deal
– Episode 1

In the inaugural episode of Policy Driven, co-hosts Mark and Tom sit down with Sabrine Skiker, Director at Hanover Brussels and Member of the Green Mobility Magazine Editorial Board. They dive into the pressing issues of trade and mobility, exploring President Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on EU imports and the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal. Sabrine offers her expert insights on the potential economic impact of these tariffs and how they could reshape global trade dynamics. The conversation then turns to the EU’s ambitious and long-touted Clean Industrial Deal (CID), and the panel debates the intentions behind the CID, its efficacy and potential impact on European businesses in and beyond the mobility and energy sectors.

Meet the hosts

Thomas Jérémie Hayden-Lefebvre

Thomas Jérémie Hayden-Lefebvre is the Founder and Editor of the Green Mobility Magazine, a publication dedicated to the nexus between transport and sustainability. Thomas launched the Green Mobility Magazine in 2022. Alongside his team, he helps leading organizations navigate and communicate the complexities of the transport transition. Thomas holds degrees from BPP Law School, Cranfield University, and Trinity College Dublin.

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Mark Watts

Mark Watts is a seasoned expert in public policy with over 25 years of experience. He served two terms as a Member of the European Parliament, focusing on transport, energy, climate, and economic regulation. Mark co-founded LP Brussels in 2009 and continues to advise leading companies and organizations. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

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About & Contact Us

The Green Mobility Magazine stands at the nexus of transportation, sustainability, and public policy. We deliver the news, intelligence, and insights mobility professionals need to make informed decisions in the sustainable transport sector.
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WattsUp! is the dynamic social media hub of Mark Watts, a visionary leader driving sustainable change and bold, responsible policies. With a passion for pioneering solutions in transport, climate and economic policy, Mark has shaped the future of European policy as a former S&D MEP, playing a key role on the TRAN Committee for two terms.
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