Will geopolitics kill the energy transition?

The last few years have been shaped by a pandemic, geopolitical unrest, energy market turmoil and serious military conflicts in several parts of the world. Europe has dealt with the War in Ukraine, an unstable energy market and rising inflation.

All of these factors have led Dr. Fabian Zuleeg to define the time we live in as "The Age of Permacrisis", a prolonged period characterized by uncertainty and instability, which stems from catastrophic events. In the midst of this crisis era, Europe – and Norway - must also consider fundamental questions around climate goals, energy security, industrial competitiveness, and the renewable transition. At this event, we will ask Dr. Zuleeg and State Secretary Sigrun Aasland: 

• How is the EU adapting to a “continuous time of crisis”? How are the energy markets affected by this trend? 

• How will the new political landscape in the EU shape the response to crisis and the need for energy transition? A new landscape both between member states, and between member states and Brussels. 

• What happens to energy transition when security trumps “everything”? What does Europe’s Green Deal - future look like? 

• Is it the industry and energy independence that will drive the transition? 

• How does this situation impact Norway and Norwegian companies? 

The European Policy Centre is a think tank dedicated to promoting European integration through analysis and debate. Dr. Fabian Zuleeg is the CEO and chief economist of the think tank. His latest research looks at how Europe can meet the challenge of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while addressing fundamental changes that Europe must go through (technological revolution, climate action and demographic change).