Europe Between Climate and Energy Insecurity: Geopolitical Aspects

EU sees itself as a world leader in coping with the challenge of climate change. At the same time, the Ukraine crisis has demonstrated how vulnerable its energy supply security is due to EU’s dependenceon import oil and gas. The paper addresses the interlinkages and prospects of EU’s climate and energy policies with respect to ethical and security dimensions. The ethical dimension is addressed in termsof how to fairly allocate responsibility among nations, regions and states to reduce GHG emissions to non-dangerous levels, a central issue at the upcoming UN summit in Paris. The proposed principles,such as the common but differentiated responsibility, are discussed in view of a growing literature, political controversies and converging diplomatic moves. At the same time the fundamental values ofthe EU may be at stake if the security dimension of all EU member states cannot be guaranteed. Both ethical and security challenges EU is confronted with points strongly towards accelerated introductionof a low-carbon economy and corresponding infrastructure, with renewables to play a central role in the medium/long term. A review of the literature shows that continuing import dependence on oiland gas, including from Russia, is a risk factor both in economic, political and environmental terms. Some recently proposed policy responses, such as the creation of an EU energy union, are reviewedand critically evaluated.