ANNOUNCEMENTS
This dissertation investigates the effect of geopolitics on energy transitions in Germany, Australia, South Africa, and India. The focus of the study is the interplay between geopolitics, foreign trade practices, and the reliance on imports of fossil fuels and critical minerals required for renewable energy transitions. It analyzes the foreign trade practices, imports, and exports of these nations between 2000 and 2020 in an effort to determine their dependence on external sources.
Notably, all four investigated nations are dependent on fossil fuel imports, including oil, and have set renewable energy targets to achieve their sustainable energy objectives. However, the transition to sustainable energy is further complicated by the need to rely on countries that produce critical and rare minerals for renewable technologies. This study emphasizes the significance of critical minerals in clean energy transitions and the resulting impact on geopolitical relations. The dissertation emphasizes the potential difficulties and complexities deriving from global trade wars between major players like the United States and China. These trade disputes have repercussions for all nations engaged in energy transformations, as they necessitate strategic decisions regarding the sourcing of essential minerals and the management of geopolitical relationships.
By analyzing the geopolitical dynamics, foreign trade practices, and energy reliance of Germany, Australia, South Africa, and India, this study provides valuable insights into the effect of geopolitics on just energy transitions. The findings highlight the differential needs of energy exporting and importing nations on the way to clean energy transitions. A just energy transitions require context-based aid and planning to achieve net zero targets. By taking a deeper dive into these four countries the study aims to build literature on management of complexities of individual nation-states to drive a collective international way forward to clean energy transitions.
Keywords: Just energy transitions, geopolitics, critical minerals, clean energy, renewable energy targets.
