Renewable energy is energy generated from natural sources that are replenished

without human interference. According to the International Energy Agency, it is “at the

center of the transition to a less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy system”

(Renewables - Fuels & Technologies, n.d.). Over the last 20 years, the share of renewables in

global energy production has significantly increased and is projected to rise to at least 80%

by 2050 (Global Energy Perspective 2022 | McKinsey, n.d.). The EU has outpaced global

production and consumption in renewables. While this trend has been largely due to

international climate agreements and increased public interest; the matter took a new turn

following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis in Europe that followed. In

this paper, we will analyze how self-sufficiency efforts go hand in hand with renewable

efforts for European countries, and possible foreign policy outcomes. We will argue that

when renewables take over the energy mix, European countries will be less dependent on

energy exporters that don't fit well with Europe ideologically, rendering a shift to a bounded

globalization.

We will look at Europe’s energy dependency by creating an index based on Eurostat,

showing the amount of oil and gas imported, imports per capita, and the energy demand of

Europe and compare this index with renewable efforts, demonstrating the possible impact of

renewables on dependency. We will then investigate whether these renewable efforts are

designed with a concern for economic independence by analyzing the discourse of

government leaders and policies. Moreover, with Eurobarometer polls, we aim to understand

the relationship between self-sufficiency and environmental concerns in the minds of

European citizens and interpret their importance for political parties. Lastly, drawing on the

literature about bilateral trade and globalization, we will discuss the possible consequences of

economic independence for the foreign policy of Europe, its energy exporters, and the world

on a systemic level.
 WORKS CITED

Global Energy Perspective 2022 | McKinsey. (n.d.). Retrieved October 1, 2022, from

https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/oil-and-gas/our-insights/global-energy-

perspective-2022

Renewables—Fuels & Technologies. (n.d.). IEA. Retrieved October 1, 2022, from

https://www.iea.org/fuels-and-technologies/renewables