The uniqueness of the energy security, justice, and governance problem

TitleThe uniqueness of the energy security, justice, and governance problem
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsGoldthau, A., and B. Sovacool
Journal titleEnergy Policy
Year2012
Pages232–240
Volume41
DOIdoi:10.1016/j.enpol.2011.10.042
Publisher linkhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421511008263
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Abstract

This article argues that among all policy fields exhibiting externalities of a global scale, energy stands out on four dimensions: vertical complexity, horizontal complexity, higher entailed costs, and stronger path dependency. These structural attributes are at odds with contemporary key challenges of energy security, energy justice, and low carbon energy transition. With regard to the latter, energy governance challenges occur related to unclear levels of authority and weak resilience. This has implications for energy scholarship, specifically relating to the political economy of energy transitions, discussions about common pool resources, systems analysis, and other neighboring disciplines.

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