Energy Politics in a Changing World

The geopolitical challenges of energy systems that began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have only intensified in 2023. This escalation is not only due to the protracted nature of the conflict but also the emergence of new conflicts that have directly or indirectly impacted global energy supplies. These challenges, alongside sustainability transition imperatives, compel decision-makers to adapt to the ever-changing realities of our world. While 2022 witnessed energy-importing countries implementing short-term emergency measures to address immediate threats of energy shortages, 2023 paints a more long-term and clearer picture of the implications of the Russian invasion on energy markets and the ability of big importers (especially the EU) to guarantee their energy security. Moreover, new conflicts in regions like the Caucasus and the Middle East, with the potential to evolve into global geopolitical crises, have underscored the delicate nature of the international energy market. These challenges have prompted energy importers to reassess their dependence on specific suppliers, notably Russia, and explore ways to reduce overall dependency on energy supplies from third countries. While energy efficiency, renewables, and heat and transport electrification have been considered universal solutions, some countries are doubling down on nuclear energy as a domestic source to enhance energy security. However, each approach brings its unique set of challenges, encompassing political considerations for nuclear energy and financial, technical, and administrative hurdles for renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency initiatives (such as NIMBY concerns and grid capacity issues). This section will feature cutting-edge research addressing the geopolitical challenges in energy policy following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, compounded by new conflicts in 2023. The evolving global energy supply routes, the creation of new dependencies, the end of old ones, destabilization of energy markets, unprecedented price hikes, and supply uncertainties will be explored. Discussions within this section will also delve into potential solutions and their inherent limitations. Distinguished senior and junior researchers from various European countries, ensuring an even geographical distribution, will chair the panel discussions. Following a pre-call for panels from the ECPR Research Network on Energy Politics, Policy, and Governance, the section chairs collected eight panel proposals that fit the general theme of the section: 1) Energy as a tool of statecraft – what have we learned after the war in Ukraine? 2) The implication of geopolitical conflicts for global energy markets 3) International Political Economy of Industrial Decarbonization 4) Nuclear energy amidst geopolitical competition and low-carbon transitions: revival or decline? 5) Green electrification, resilience and just energy transition 6) Eco-social transition and energy justice in the EU 7) The geopolitics of Low Energy Demand (LED) systems 8) State-market relations in the contemporary energy politics All of the panels listed are seeking contributions. In addition, the section invites panel and paper submissions on the following topics: ▪️ Energy security, critical high and low emissions infrastructures and supply chains ▪️ Geopolitics/geoeconomics in today’s energy politics ▪️ Energy policy and critical IPE: extractivism, new mercantilism and center-periphery patterns ▪️ Green industrial policy and economic security ▪️ Energy diplomacy ▪️ EU strategic autonomy, technology sovereignty and energy policy ▪️ Global South as electricity exporters ▪️ Green electrification, resilience and just energy transitions ▪️ Nuclear power: revival or decline? ▪️ Energy poverty, justice and democracy ▪️ Geopolitics of low energy demand systems ▪️ State-market relations in the contemporary energy politics ▪️ Polycentricity and Energy Governance ▪️ Energy as a common pool resource