The new rush to discover and exploit hydrocarbon resources in West Africa, and particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, has raised hopes in the affected countries for new petroleum wealth and economic development. History shows, however, that major oil and gas discoveries have a very mixed record, at best, in terms of societal gains and… Continue reading Oil, energy poverty and resource dependence in West Africa
Category: publication
The OECD system’s role in energy and taxation
Together with Dries Lesage, I have written a piece on the role of the OECD/IEA in global taxation and energy governance. The piece is part of a special issue of Global Governance on regime complexity. The article argues that, although the OECD system is often portrayed as an agency in crisis, the organization seems to… Continue reading The OECD system’s role in energy and taxation
Towards a new multilateral energy architecture?
From climate change over peak oil to the geopolitical scramble for the Arctic, there are ample signs that a global energy crisis is unfolding. The sheer scale and urgency of this looming crisis calls for international coordination. Yet, even a cursory look at the existing international energy institutions leads to a sobering conclusion: the global… Continue reading Towards a new multilateral energy architecture?
Obsolete or resurgent? The IEA in a changing global landscape
Founded in response to the 1973 oil shock, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is arguably still the most important multilateral organization for energy-importing countries. Yet, the global geopolitical landscape has changed considerably since the IEA’s creation. The rise of new energy consumers, new energy-related challenges and new international energy forums prompt a rethink of the… Continue reading Obsolete or resurgent? The IEA in a changing global landscape
Interview with Adnan Amin, Director-General of IRENA
Worldwide – and that includes much of the emerging economies – there is a widespread conviction that regardless of any controversy on climate change or “peak oil”, it is vitally important to boost all forms of sustainable energy as much as possible. To achieve this on a global scale, three years ago the International Renewable… Continue reading Interview with Adnan Amin, Director-General of IRENA
Punctuated equilibrium in the energy regime complex
Jeff Colgan, Robert O. Keohane and I have written an article on the historical development of multilateral energy institutions that has just been published in the June 2012 issue of The Review of International Organizations. The paper applies the concept of “punctuated equilibrium” from evolutionary biology to institutional development in the energy regime complex from… Continue reading Punctuated equilibrium in the energy regime complex