Towards Environmental Security by Adapting the Energy Sector: Summary of Strategies and Opportunities for Technology Transfer and Cooperation in the SEE Region

Abstract

Within the SEE region, there are several opportunities for energy sector adaptation in response to environmental, energy, and climate security concerns. These latter inter-dependent security issues have similar over-arching aims that could contribute to an effective environmental regime. This paper surveys five fundamental criteria for an effective environmental regime within the context of renewable energy and energy efficiency policy in the SEE region. These five criteria are: (1) effective policies, laws, and regulations based on desired objectives (the legal base-line aspect); (2) an embedded desire to pursue environmental objectives, which are most likely based on incentives (the environmental culture aspect); (3) strong national institutions that can pursue objectives and enforce measures when necessary (the institutional aspect); (4) national capacity, which to a large extent depends on effective technology transfer (the capacity building aspect); and (5) given the international impact of environmental issues, regional cooperation, as well as, support from international institutions (the regional and international cooperation aspect). The countries in the SEE region have made significant progress in developing renewable energy and energy efficiency policies, programmes, and projects, but there remain regulatory, economic, and institutional barriers to effective energy adaptation. As a result, important opportunities exist in the areas of technology transfer and capacity building as well as regional collaboration.

* Please note the viewpoints expressed are solely those of the authors and do not represent those of the Institute for Defense Analyses or the US Department of Commerce.