Global Energy Governance and International Institutions

Abstract

Energy use is central to almost every aspect of life and development, and to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But energy resource endowments and availability are not evenly distributed across the world, creating or exacerbating inequalities and poverty. Energy is also the greatest contributor to anthropogenic climate change and its consequences. SDG 7 sets out to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. How the goals of SDG 7 will be advanced, by whom, where, when, and to what level of success, are in part influenced by the structure, actors, rules, content and processes that collectively make up the field of Global Energy Governance (GEG) and its nascent sub-field Global Sustainable Energy Governance (GSEG). This article provides an introduction and general orientation to the emerging and expanding field of GEG and in particular GSEG so as to: (i) understand the history and conceptual basis of GEG, including in the context of the global energy transition and SDG 7; (ii) appreciate underlying imperatives and intersecting issues within the frame of GSEG; and (iii) identify and describe the categories and functions of selected global and regional state and non-state actors and frameworks within the GSEG matrix that are involved in shaping, directing and implementing the energy transition and SDG 7.