Geopolitics of the Energy Transition Explained — Daniel Scholten

This episode of The IR thinker explores the geopolitics of the energy transition with Dr Daniel Scholten, examining how shifting energy systems reshape power relations, security risks and opportunities for international cooperation. The conversation considers the prospects for fossil fuel exporters and global renewable energy companies, the scramble for critical materials, the role of international organisations and energy diplomacy, and emerging research agendas in this rapidly developing field.Daniel ScholtenDr Daniel Scholten is Visiting Assistant Professor at the Center for Science, Technology and Environmental Policy at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. A specialist in the geopolitics of the energy transition and the governance of sustainability, he has previously served as strategic adviser on energy and sustainability at the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, taught at Delft University of Technology, and contributed to the IRENA Global Commission on the Geopolitics of Energy Transformation.Publications:Handbook on the Geopolitics of the Energy TransitionThe new oil? The geopolitics and international governance of hydrogenRenewable energy and geopolitics: A reviewThe geopolitics of renewables: New board, new gameThe Geopolitics of RenewablesContent00:00 - Introduction01:43 - Significance of Geopolitics in Energy Transition02:45 - Key Geopolitical Expectations in the Energy Transition09:24 - Identifying the Most Critical Research Area12:38 - Geopolitical Ramifications for Fossil Fuel Exporting Nations during Energy Transition18:13 - Prospects for Global Renewable Energy Corporations20:54 - Geopolitical Dynamics in the Arctic Region26:39 - Securing Critical Rare Materials for Energy Transition30:46 - International Organizations and Governance in Energy Transition37:18 - Role of Energy Diplomacy43:48 - Geopolitical Cooperation in Energy Transition48:56 - Security Implications of Energy Transition54:20 - Research Trends and Methodologies in Geopolitics of Energy TransitionFollow & Further ResourcesSubstack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ir-thinker/X: https://x.com/irthinker_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/irthinkerfb Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.