Geopolitics focuses on political power linked to geographic space, and “geopolitical tensions” are defined as political issues between 2 or more countries that cause unrest. They can stem from a variety of factors, such as energy, trade, military activity, climate change or significant events like Brexit.
The pursuit of energy security and sustainability are woven together with geopolitics in a world characterized by interdependence and competition. Understanding this dynamic is critical to managing the challenges and seizing the opportunities.
Conflicts in key regions such as Russia-Ukraine, Middle East, and Israeli-Hamas impact global energy markets and international political stability. Supply chains are disrupted as nations compete for access to resources, and escalating hostilities can lead to higher energy prices, supply chain delays, and volatility in financial markets.
A growing number of nations see the shift to sustainable energy as a strategic imperative and an opportunity to enhance national security and international influence. However, it also entails new geopolitical challenges. The demand for renewables creates competition for key raw materials. The reliance on foreign production puts supply chains at risk, and new tensions are emerging around the need for responsible sourcing.
The geopolitics of energy and sustainability require an expert-driven academic interpretation that goes beyond simplistic notions of resource competition and power struggles. It is a complex picture that requires a broad view of global political systems and power dynamics, and embraces a systemic perspective, identifying feedback loops and unintended consequences.
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