Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
the opposite, more decentralisation to small
rms operating in dynamic market
contexts.
9
Debates have sharpened over the policy implications of these concerns. Less
conspicuous
ict and
migration, the geo-economic dimensions of climate change are beginning to attract
attention. Many European o
than the ostensibly more dramatic issues of climate con
cials and diplomats stress that they see climate
security primarily as an issue of economic security. A core part of the
agship
EU2020 Strategy, aimed at boosting long-term European competitiveness, was a
formalised strategy committing the Union to mainstreaming resource scarcity
within EU economic policies.
10
A United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) report observed that European trade ministries have dramatically increased
their engagement over climate issues, supporting a range of new studies and semi-
nars.
11
In October 2012 the Commission presented an update of EU industrial
policy that committed to strengthen the use of reciprocity to create more level
playing
elds for European investors overseas and to back this up with a
'
raw
materials diplomacy
to secure access to vital supplies.
12
Diplomats highlight the importance of a new EU narrative being prepared in
2013 to link climate security more to opportunities for green growth, as a means
to re-inject momentum on the back of the eurozone crisis and to get sceptical
economics and trade ministries on board. The new geo-economic narrative
aimed at promoting a more positive public diplomacy strategy. A shared feeling
across member states is that China has stolen a lead in these geo-economic
strands. Germany has been particularly keen on giving a more geo-economic
edge to policy, with the country widely seen as the most successful European
geo-economic power.
As energy and climate minister Chris Huhne argued that the
'
rst and most vital
aspect of climate security will be its e
ect on trade.
13
In the UK a
'
resource scarcity
working group
'
has been set up and the government launched a new
'
action plan
for resource security
ned climate change as one aspect in
a cluster of issues threatening resource security and requiring a geopolitical
response; access to speciality metals on the road towards low carbon was targeted as
a particular concern. A range of partnerships was set up between government and
business and a plethora of funding initiatives was launched; the approach in strate-
gic terms was de
'
in March 2012. This de
is
the new leitmotif of FCO thinking on climate security: even if the UK is not
directly a
ned as
'
business resilience
'
.
14
Defending the
'
circular economy
'
ict it will be hurt by any interruption to imports
and global supply chains. UK diplomats also argue that it is the geo-economic
dimension that resonates with an otherwise climate-sceptical public opinion.
Certainly, the most senior of o
ected by climate con
cials in DG Energy reveal that there are already
incipient concerns over a concentration of renewables supplies.
