The Politics and Institutions of Global Energy Governance

From climate change over shale gas to the race for the Arctic, energy makes headlines in international politics almost daily. Thijs Van de Graaf argues that energy is in dire need of global governance. He traces the history of international energy cooperation from the notorious 'Seven Sisters' oil-companies cartel to the recent creation of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). He analyses how international institutions have been created for securing oil rents, coordinating consumer-countries' energy security policies, promoting producer-consumer dialogue, managing regional gas markets, and dealing with energy-related environmental externalities. Drawing on the emerging regime complexity literature, he constructs a novel analytical framework to explain the fragmented architecture of global energy governance, and studies prospects for institutional reform at the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the G8/G20. "Thijs Van de Graaf has written a fascinating analytical narrative of the international energy regime complex, with systematic and illuminating analysis of sources of change and continuity as a basis for policy recommendations about institutional design. The Politics and Institutions of Global Energy Governance is a valuable contribution to our understanding of how regime complexes change as well as a perceptive study of global energy politics." - Robert O. Keohane, Princeton University, USA 'A cogent and much needed book for anybody interested in understanding how the global energy system functions politically and institutionally. It richly explores topics as diverse as oil security, renewable energy, energy poverty, electricity reliability, and the contours of the International Energy Agency and G20. A good read that will remain on my shelf for years to come.' - Benjamin K. Sovacool, Vermont Law School, USA "Thijs Van de Graaf's book offers an insightful, rich and compelling analysis of the historical evolution and current fragmentation of the architecture of global energy governance, covering most major institutions, including the new International Renewable Energy Agency. This book is highly recommended for all scholars and students of global energy governance, climate politics, and the emergence and interplay of international organizations." - Frank Biermann, VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands