Chapter 11: Climate, ecological and energy security challenges facing the EU: new and old dynamics
Category:
Chapter
Published:
14 Jul 2023
Page Range:
158–172
Collection:
Political Science and Public Policy 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789906981.00023
Keywords:
European Union; Climate security; Foreign policy; Energy security; Climate diplomacy; Ecological crisis
Open access

This chapter focuses on the foreign policy dimensions of climate and ecological policies, along with EU approaches to energy security. It outlines policy areas where the EU has spearheaded strategies related to the geopolitical dimensions of climate action, but also points to shortcomings in the EU’s conceptual framing of the climate crisis and its strategic perspectives. The chapter then addresses some key dynamics and tensions in the relationship between EU climate and energy-security policies. It concludes by summarising why comprehensive ecological policy-drivers still struggle to gain traction in EU external policy relative to both standard energy-security priorities and climate security. Weaknesses in the EU’s approach are seen to derive in particular from a narrow understanding of geo-economics, which over-rides the potential for more strategic geopolitical engagement on climate, and from prioritisation of the immediate, short-term energy security.

Keywords: European Union; Climate security; Foreign policy; Energy security; Climate diplomacy; Ecological crisis

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Cover Handbook on European Union Climate Change Policy and Politics
Handbook on European Union Climate Change Policy and Politics
Handbook
Published:
14 Jul 2023
Print ISBN:
9781789906974
eISBN:
9781789906981
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789906981
Pages:
440
Collection:
Political Science and Public Policy 2023
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