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Hi Reader, here's what you need to know for March 31st in 3:09 minutes.

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Today's big stories

Europe’s lawmakers saw green and pushed for even more clean energy
Here’s how one analyst is weighing up assets, even in all this uncertainty – Read Now
Meta could be pulling the plug on political ads in Europe

Green For Go

What’s Going On Here?

European lawmakers are close to agreeing on a more ambitious renewable energy target, according to news out on Thursday.

What Does This Mean?

Europe's leaders don't always see eye to eye on thorny matters like bank bailouts or which country makes the best cheese – but they’re all singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to green energy. See, the EU’s currently gearing up to boost its 2030 renewable energy consumption target by 10 percentage points, upping the goal from 32% to 42.5%. And while that’s ambitious, it might be doable. After all, the bloc outstripped its 2020 target (though an honorable mention goes to Covid for denting fossil fuel demand). And since then, the war in Ukraine has only driven home the importance of having reliable energy on tap.

Why Should I Care?

Zooming out: Talk is cheap.
The White House recently unveiled a green vision of its own, declaring that it wants renewables to provide 80% of America's electricity by 2030. But with fossil fuels currently accounting for around 60% of US power, that super-ambitious plan has raised more than a few eyebrows. And that’s the thing about targets: ambition’s important, but as any entrepreneur knows, setting unachievable goals means that folk eventually stop trying. So maybe the Europeans have the right approach this time around…

The bigger picture: The world’s biggest check.
Researchers at Stanford University estimate that a staggering $62 trillion is needed to transition the world to renewable energy (tweet this). And while governments will probably end up picking up most of that check, trying to fund such an immense project – equivalent to over half the global economy, or $7,500 per person on the planet – would require either huge debt or some sort of bumper green taxes. Still, Stanford’s experts think the uber-cheap energy we’d be bringing in would mean we’d recoup the investment in under six years – that could make it a cost worth bearing, and sooner rather than later.

You might also like: This could happen: oil’s price could go to zero.

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Analyst Take

Bonds, Equities, Or Cash – My Investing Tactics

Central banks are in a dilemma this month – as they might be for months ahead – when it comes to inflation and interest rates.

They’re between a rock and a hard place: inflation and wage rises aren’t letting up, setting the case for higher interest rates. But after the collapse of several major banks collapsing, there’s even more fear and financial instability.

And investors are up against it too. They’ll be seeking a safe haven that doesn’t compromise flexibility – and they won’t settle for letting their cash rot away in low-interest deposit accounts.

That’s today’s Insight: how you might approach investing in this financially unstable environment.

Read or listen to the Insight here

The government could help you buy your next home

Homes are hard to afford, that’s for sure, so you’d be smart to snap up help where you can.

Well, Hargreaves Lansdown’s Lifetime ISA could be a real helping hand: with it, you can invest up to £4,000 a year, shelter any returns from UK tax, and get a 25% government bonus.

Here’s how it would work. If you paid £333 a month into your Lifetime ISA, the government would top that up by £83.25. In one year, that would add up to £4,995. In ten, that’s £49,950.

Add in a sprinkling of magical compound interest, and your pot could hit £64,515 if you assume an annual growth rate of 5%. Now, that could be a decent deposit for your next home.

Remember, though, nothing’s ever guaranteed. The amount you get back depends on the performance of the investments you choose.

And here’s the best bit: Hargreaves just cut its annual account charge almost in half, so now could be the perfect time to start saving in a Lifetime ISA. Please see details on charges and fees here.

You can open a LISA between 18 and 39. After 12 months from the first payment, you can use the money to make an eligible house purchase for a property worth up to £450,000. Or you can wait until you’re 60 and take your money out then. If you want to take money out before you’re 60 and you aren’t buying your first home, there’s usually a 25% government charge. That means you could get back less than you originally put in.

Tax rules can change and their benefits depend on your circumstances. Investments can fall as well as rise in value so you could get back less than you invest. The charges and fees figures provided do not take into account inflation and any charges you may pay. This is not personal advice if you are unsure if a course of action is suitable please seek advice.

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