Energy policy in Europe

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After two decades of moderate interest, awareness of European energy issues surged in the early 21st century due to significant changes in the energy market. Great powers began competing for access to energy resources, while Russia, the second-largest energy exporter, sought to leverage its resource wealth for political influence. The effectiveness of Russia's "energy weapon" became evident following several gas crises in Ukraine. Additionally, climate change's impact on energy policy emerged as a pressing topic, given that the energy sector is the largest greenhouse gas producer. The European Union (EU) has gained prominence in energy policy, initially focusing on creating a single market for energy goods and services, and evolving into a key player on the international energy stage. The EU has built institutions, promoted norms, and adopted a "realist" approach to enhance its energy security. Currently, the EU’s climate policy significantly influences its energy strategy, facilitating a shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources. This volume aims to enrich the ongoing discourse on energy in international relations by examining various aspects of energy policy in Europe, particularly through the national perspectives of Germany, France, and Poland, alongside the EU's viewpoint. Contributions are made by Hubertus Bardt, Florian Engels, Wolfram Hilz, Timo Karl, Shushanik Minasyan, Maciej Ras, and Rafał Ulatowski.