GEF’s Knowledge Communities address a diverse set of topics. They are built around and with (a) central expert(s), who deliver(s) a political stock-take political proposals and ideas for discussion with a wider group of actors. This Knowledge Community proposed an integrated approach to four dimensions of the EU’s energy project. Besides the ones covered by the known “energy trilemma” (i.e. security angle, sustainability and equity), a fourth one – largely missing from debates – is added: democracy.
About the Knowledge Community
Energy policy in the EU -and internationally- is often guided by the energy trilemma: equity, energy security, and sustainability. The current EU mandate’s track record on these energy trilemma dimensions is a mixed –at the same time very full- bag. On the sustainability dimension for example, we have the European Climate Law, the Green Deal and Fit for 55. On energy security, there is the 2014 European Energy Security Strategy, and the REPowerEU-response to the effects of Putin’s war in Ukraine. On the equity dimension, finally, we identify the Just Transition Mechanism, the Social Climate Fund and some EU guidance on Member States’ policies to shield households from bearing the brunt of the energy crisis.
This brief overview clearly exposes two major obstacles for the EU energy project to become a lever of EU cohesion and wellbeing in the Member States.
Firstly, the three dimensions are managed and deployed separately, resulting frequently in unexpected and undesirable effects on the other two dimensions. Secondly, the link between the EU energy project and democracy is underlit.
This fragmentation of the different energy trilemma-pillars, as well as the democracy blind spot, are in themselves problematic. But in the face of (geo-)political turmoil, fluctuating energy costs and a general cost-of-living crisis, they become bread and butter to populists.
If it addresses these stumbling blocks however, the EU can create a huge opportunity to turn its energy project from an arena for divisive politics to a common European flagship that strengthens the cohesion and resilience of the EU –both within and among its Member States. Putting democracy at the heart of energy policy can give people ownership over their energy, strengthen their negotiating positions and ultimately foster the resilience and wellbeing of European societies. Integrating the 4 dimension would evolve the energy project into a concrete, systemic offer that can deliver a just transition to a secure, democratic, clean energy system.
The energy policy framework carries enormous potential to strengthen participation, ownership and support of citizens in the EU and Member States’ political processes. The Knowledge Community therefore proposes a 4 dimensions of energy-approach and aims at:
- Producing political ideas and proposals on each of the four dimensions, in the format of political briefs;
- Integrating the proposals for a systemic EU approach to energy.
Experts
- Antoine Oger, Research Director, Global Challenges and SDGs at the Institute for European Environmental Policies (IEEP)
- Jesse Scott, Adjunct at Hertie School Berlin and Visiting Fellow at DIW Berlin
- Benjamin Denis, Senior Policy Advisor and Head of industrial policy coordination at IndustriAll Europe
- Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, Founder and Head of Forum Energii
- Rosa Martinez, Green European Journal Board Member
Political Briefs
The future of the EU’s energy project: Energy security dimension
This political brief considers the energy security dimension of the EU’s energy project, with a particular focus on the new realities and dynamics of European (energy) security and the need to adapt energy frameworks accordingly.
The future of the EU’s energy project: Social dimension
This political brief considers with the social dimension of the EU’s future energy project, with a particular focus on social and territorial inequalities, energy poverty, inflation, jobs and skills.
In the media
EU urgently needs to reshuffle its energy security toolbox EUOBSERVER
Energy could be the spark the EU’s democratic future needs EURONEWS
Get involved!
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For further information, send an email to taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu!