Power Shift: The Global Political Economy of Energy Transitions

Description

Energy transitions are fundamental to achieving a zero-carbon economy. This book explains the urgently needed transition in energy systems from the perspective of the global political economy. It develops an historical, global, political and ecological account of key features of energy transitions: from their production and financing, to how they are governed and mobilised. Informed by direct engagement in projects of energy transition, the book provides an accessible account of the real-world dilemmas in accelerating transitions to a low carbon economy. As well as changes to technology, markets, institutions and behaviours, Power Shift shows that shifts in power relations between and within countries, and across social groups and political actors, are required if the world is to move onto a more sustainable path. Using contemporary and historical case studies to explore energy transitions, it will be of interest to students and researchers across disciplines, policymakers and activists.

Peter Newell is Professor of International Relations at the University of Sussex and Research Director of the Rapid Transition Alliance. He has worked on the political economy of energy transitions and climate change for over twenty-five years. His books include Climate for Change (Cambridge, 2000), Governing Climate Change (Routledge, 2010), Climate Capitalism (Cambridge, 2010) and Global Green Politics (Cambridge, 2019).

'Peter Newell brilliantly shows how power and purpose need to come together to effectuate change in the way we produce, finance and govern energy. The book is an indispensable resource for understanding what it takes to go low carbon.' Andreas Goldthau, Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, University of Erfurt 'A cogent and timely analysis of one of the most central issues of our time: how to rapidly, deeply and fairly decarbonize the world economy? Rooted in a critical global political economy framework, Power Shift deftly unravels the interconnections between shifts in political power and key dimensions of energy transitions - from production to finance and from governance to mobilisation. This book is essential reading for all scholars and students of global energy politics, climate change, as well as international political economy more broadly.' Thijs Van de Graaf, Ghent University 'A genuine masterpiece in its comprehensive global coverage, and it's rich, interdisciplinary approach. I have never before seen a book tie so well together theoretical frameworks, history, politics, finance, governance, justice and purposive action. It's an encyclopaedia of knowledge about the global political economy of energy expressed in an easy to read, and even enjoyable, style. A much-needed book informing this critical moment of the global energy transition.' Benjamin K. Sovacool, Aarhus University 'Peter Newell has done it again! Power Shift is a must-read for students, and others, interested in current attempts to steer society towards a lower carbon future that is equitable and just. It provides a comprehensive global account of how and why sustainable transitions are taking place. Most importantly, however, it also explicitly highlights the important power shifts within global capitalism that are already resulting from sustainable transitions.' Caroline Kuzemko, University of Warwick 'timely and welcome ... an important book that deserves to be read widely for its cogent analysis of the stakes involved in energy transition and its concrete engagement with the questions of what should and can be done, and how to do so equitably.' Joshua K. McEvoy, International Journal: Canada's Journal of Global Policy Analysis