China and Europe share similar concerns when it comes to energy security and the future of our changing climate. Increased cooperation lights the way ahead, writes Jennifer Morgan, published by China Dialogue:
No other country has transformed itself – in just 13 years – from being a major oil exporter to being the world’s second-largest oil importer, expected to overtake the US by 2030. But with China’s unprecedented economic expansion comes the risk of significant consequences to the climate. People have come to fear China not only because of its growing economic might, but also because of the greenhouse-gas emissions that go with it.
Europe and China face mutual and interlinked challenges. Both worry about energy security, especially rising dependence on imported oil and gas; both worry about the economic impacts of climate change; and both want to achieve climate stability without undermining energy security. Europe has learned the hard way that taking a path of “soft” power – of cooperation – is a better route than engaging in the “hard” power needed to compete for scare resources. [Full Text]
Jennifer Morgan is the Climate and Energy Security Director for E3G (Third Generation Environmentalism)
