Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Australian academics argue that the need to get Europe to get rid of Russia’s unreliable gas could lead to a faster implementation of the green revolution.
Will Russia’s invasion of Ukraine push Europe toward energy independence and faster decarbonisation?
Published: February 25, 2022 4.22 p.m. AEDT
Ellie Martus
Lecturer in Public Policy, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University
Susan Harris Rimmer
Professor and Director of the Center for Policy Innovation, Griffith Business School, Griffith UniversityIn 1973, the post-war outbreak of the world hit the rocks hard. Oil producers limited supply, causing prices to skyrocket. inside consequence As a result of this oil shock, countries like the US began to seek energy independence.
In 2022, we could see history repeat itself, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine unfolds.
Why? Major countries in Europe such as Germany have turned to Russian gas to fill the gap between decommissioned coal plants, move away from nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster, and the point where zero-emissions storage and renewable energy can act as a full alternative.
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Will this accelerate the transition to renewable energy?
It was only in January that the new German Minister of Economy and Climate announced major new measures to accelerate the country’s slow deployment of renewable energy and the electricity industry with clean energy.
And now? We believe that the crisis is likely to accelerate Europe’s trend towards renewable energy, as the country is looking to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
We can see growing efforts to switch to interdependent renewable generation, such as Proposal to equip offshore wind intended to be shared by many European countries.
But this is not guaranteed. Next time, There is a great danger that the crisis in Ukraine focuses attention on energy security at the expense of decarbonisation.
We could see the return of coal power. Countries like Germany may even be forced to rethink or delay their nuclear phase-out.
Other major fossil fuel exporters such as Australia are lined up to fill any gaps in the European market.
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This is a setback for international climate efforts, given Russia’s role as one in the world. Top five greenhouse gas emissions.
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Wanting to destroy the environment is a war crime, on par with targeting civilians and destroying cultural heritage. In 2020, the Red Cross issued instructions to protect the environment in wartime.
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At the very least, they acknowledge that renewable energy is not an easy path to energy security. But what a lack of perspective.
I have a Ukrainian friend who has family members and friends within range of the invasion. Real people are being hurt. However, these climate-obsessed academics really think whether Europe will burn some coal this winter to keep the lights on, and even seem to believe that “destroying the environment ”, ironing a few trees with a tank, is “on par” with killing civilians.
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