COPENHAGEN, 4 February 2022 – Today’s OSCE PA Parliamentary Web Dialogue on “The Clean Energy Revolution and its Implications for the OSCE Region” brought together more than 100 parliamentarians, experts and representatives of OSCE participating States for a policy debate to assess current energy trends and explore potential socio-economic and environmental implications of the energy transition.

Members of parliament, OSCE officials and members of the scientific community discussed the latest technological developments in energy production and possible geopolitical implications of the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. They considered policies needed to promote a decarbonized, resilient and secure energy sector and the role of national parliaments and interparliamentary fora in this regard.

“The energy revolution is happening right now, before our very own eyes,” said OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) in her opening remarks. “How fairly and how fast it happens is the biggest challenge of our time.”

At the core of the discussions was the awareness of the climate and environmental crisis that is impacting the planet, and the urgent imperative to mitigate it. The need for innovative and environmentally friendly energy policies was emphasized by participants who stressed the need to promote secure, inclusive and healthy societies – characterized by resilient and competitive economies – for the benefit of all citizens.

With expert contributions from Angela Wilkinson, CEO and Secretary-General of the World Energy Council; Keisuke Sadamori, Director for Energy Markets and Security at the International Energy Agency; Miguel Gil Tertre, Directorate-General for Energy at the European Commission; Enrico Falck, Executive Chairman at Falck Renewables; Kirsten Westphal, Executive Director of Research and Analysis at H2Global Stiftung; and Katja Yafimava, Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, OSCE PA members heard a wide array of views on the need for diversified, accessible, reliable and affordable energy to meet human needs.

Angela Wilkinson, CEO of the World Energy Council, participates in the OSCE PA webinar, 4 February 2022The expert contributions focused on role of “humanizing energy” in driving a successful global energy transition, the macroeconomic impacts of the transformation, the role of the private sector in contributing to a viable transition, and the need for the OSCE region to diversify its energy sources both to help curb climate change and to promote energy security. In achieving the clean energy revolution, it is necessary to improve communication with all stakeholders, it was stressed, as the transformation is a systemic shift that will have huge geopolitical and economic effects that go far beyond the energy sector. The emphasis must be on developing collaboration and strategies that involve all levels of society, it was pointed out.

“The concept of energy security is becoming broader and more dynamic than it has been in the past,” said Spanish parliamentarian Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, Chair of the OSCE PA General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment. “Mitigating the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on the security, health, and wealth of our citizens has become a priority of the entire international community. Simply put, there can be no global security without climate security, and no climate security without energy security.”

“At the end of the day, we need to adapt our policies just as much as our behaviors to make the transition work,” he concluded.

In the discussion, OSCE parliamentarians raised points related to hydrogen energy and carbon pricing, stressing the influence of the fossil fuel industry on public policy. Members also highlighted the OSCE PA’s Plea for Resolute Climate Action, which was released last November, emphasizing that the transition can no longer be postponed. The importance of actively engaging citizens and youth in this process, as well as the role of education, were also highlighted.

Closing the debate was Austrian parliamentarian Gudrun Kugler, Rapporteur of the OSCE PA’s economic and environmental committee, who noted that the discussion had served as a reminder that the energy revolution simultaneously represents one of the biggest opportunities and challenges of our time.

“Citizens’ security, wealth and health are shared priorities of all countries,” Kugler said. “Parliaments are in the driver’s seat for change: We need to achieve a greening of the energy sector by reducing emissions as well as our reliance on depletable forms of energy. Thereby we will contribute to the protection of the environment and of the health of our citizens.”

She added: “Resource ties have been a source of tension. Energy diversification will foster geopolitical security. Science and technology play a key role in this and jobs will be created. Energy supplies must be affordable for all people and meet all human needs: Rising energy costs must not result in a new form of energy poverty. Citizens must be protected from energy bottlenecks, dangerous blackouts, or terrorist attacks causing energy shortages. Our systems must be safe and reliable. Energy security is human security.”

As rapporteur, Kugler is currently developing the concept of her report and draft resolution that will be introduced ahead of the Annual Session later this year in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

For video of today's webinar, please click here.