Geopolitics of Energy Transition and Cli

Priority Reg: CEE Concentration. Prerequisites: Instructor-Managed Waitlist & Course Application. Geopolitics is complicating the already difficult task of moving from a carbon-intensive energy system to one of net-zero emissions. Today's geopolitical tensions risk slowing the urgently needed clean energy transition, while certain dynamics in this transition exacerbate some of the most problematic geopolitical forces. Competition between great powers, a defining feature of the emerging global order, now risks slowing the transition through trade tensions and national security concerns. Additionally, the uneven energy transition is creating friction between the developed and developing worlds. War and conflict divert resources and focus from the urgency of achieving net-zero emissions. Concerns about the costs of the transition are giving an electoral boost to political parties that often place less emphasis on addressing climate change. This course aims to demonstrate that a better understanding of the entanglement of geopolitics with energy and climate change is crucial for a successful clean energy transition.

The course will include guest speakers and discussions on recent issues in geopolitics and energy transition. Through this course, students can expect to gain a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between geopolitics and the energy transition, which is essential for navigating today’s complex global landscape.