The Gulf states and the energy transition in the Indo-Pacific

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper examines the interdependence between the Gulf states and the Indo-Pacific in the context of the global energy transition away from a fossil-fuel based energy system. Instead of ending this energy interdependence, we argue that the energy transition presents opportunities for the Gulf states to address and manage energy governance issues with the Indo-Pacific. Applying a framework with four stylized choices comprising rule breaking, taking, promoting, and shaping, we find evidence that the Gulf states have evolved away from binary choices of rejecting or accepting the rules of global energy governance. Instead, some of them are becoming more adept at rule promoting and rule shaping, which, respectively, strengthen and contest but not undo the energy transition status quo.