Foreign Policy Blogs

Energy & Environment

Paris Climate Agreement: Mixed Reviews

Paris Climate Agreement: Mixed Reviews

When delegates from nearly 200 countries convened in Paris in late November 2015, many were hopeful about the COP21. It could be a watershed moment when the world would unite and finally put forth a plan to combat climate change.

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A Public Private Partnership for Iran’s New Petroleum Contract?

A Public Private Partnership for Iran’s New Petroleum Contract?

Can public private partnership provide a solution for the financing of energy infrastructure projects, at a time when Iran is facing declining revenues as a result of years of crippling sanctions?

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How Will The Saudi-Iranian Conflict Affect Oil Markets?

How Will The Saudi-Iranian Conflict Affect Oil Markets?

The recent Saudi-Iranian clash is unlikely to affect oil markets for now, but the redistribution of political power between Saudi Arabia and Iran, along with the US disengagement from the Middle East might have long-term consequences for the region’s stability and global oil supply trends.

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US and UK Team Up to Power African Clean Energy

US and UK Team Up to Power African Clean Energy

A landmark collaboration between the UK’s Energy Africa initiative and America’s Power Africa campaign has been launched to bring clean electricity to millions of people across the African continent.

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COP21 Conference in Paris

COP21 Conference in Paris

As the 21st Conference of Parties begins this week in Paris, for the first time in years, the prospect for serious, substantive international progress on climate issues is not bleak.

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Is Fear of People Power Turning the Chinese Communist Party from Red to Green?

Is Fear of People Power Turning the Chinese Communist Party from Red to Green?

The move to a green-based economy would require massive restructuring and the tackling of vested interests that profit from the current set up. But it is no more radical than the break-neck development China pursued over the last two decades.

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Industry Must Be Part Of The Solution At COP21

Industry Must Be Part Of The Solution At COP21

In the U.S., any discussion involving climate change tends to deteriorate into an argument between two factions—those who feel that climate change is a very real threat to the planet, and those who say it is nothing but a scare tactic.

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The new Chinese Century? Can a Green China with no Mideast Entanglements Surpass the U.S.?

The new Chinese Century? Can a Green China with no Mideast Entanglements Surpass the U.S.?

China may be on its way to being a hybrid leader that can avoid overseas adventurism as it tries to rapidly abandon fossil fuels and modernize its unstable neighbors’ economies.

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The shadow of a Malacca Dilemma on an Iranian Hormuz Dilemma

The shadow of a Malacca Dilemma on an Iranian Hormuz Dilemma

Whoever controls the strait of Hormuz also control Iran’s oil security.

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From oil to nuclear energy: a Lausanne Accord between Iran and the P5+1

From oil to nuclear energy: a Lausanne Accord between Iran and the P5+1

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif will meet again on March 15 in Lausanne for the final stretch of international negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program.

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The BRICS Under Cheap Oil

The BRICS Under Cheap Oil

The rapid rise in the value of the U.S. dollar and the effect of new riches in the U.S. energy market has left many adversaries of the U.S. with serious future financial issues

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Africa’s Largest Wind Farm

Africa’s Largest Wind Farm

After eight years of planning, funds have become available for the planned 310 megawatt (MW) Lake Turkana wind farm project estimated to cost $775 million – the largest private investment in Kenya’s history.

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Investing in a Gulf Free of Oil Dependence

Investing in a Gulf Free of Oil Dependence

The daunting reality for the United States and close allies in the Persian Gulf is that their economy has not transitioned away from oil dependency yet.

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Cheap Oil and Missed Opportunities

Cheap Oil and Missed Opportunities

OPEC’s recent decision to keep production at its current levels lead to the realization by many investors that the current oil price may become the new norm.

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Two Big Players Enter the Fray

Two Big Players Enter the Fray

During President Obama’s recent trip spanning China, Myanmar and Australia, he along with Chinese President Xi Jingping announced what amounts to a historic agreement between the nations to reduce greenhouse emissions (amongst agreements to extend visas and trade deals to eliminate tariffs on IT products).

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