The cardinal sins of European energy policy: Nongovernance in an uncertain global landscape

Abstract

Recent years have seen some fundamental changes in the way the global energy sector and its governance function. All of these changes have a significant impact on the energy policy choices that are available for EU policy makers and should be incorporated in a proactive European strategy for the future. Instead, however, we witness a general stalemate in the energy policy debate within the EU, and internal problems seem to impede any meaningful and coherent external policy. In this article, building on a wide literature review, we sketch the changing global energy landscape, explaining the current state of 'unprecedented uncertainty' around a set of major issues. Then we describe what we see as the five 'cardinal sins' of European energy policy and governance, which preclude effective common responses and external action. We conclude by outlining possible ways of overcoming the challenges that face European energy policy and governance.