Intersecting Geopolitics, Energy Security, and Climate Change Adaptation Policies: Norway's Oil and Gas Dilemma

This paper explores intersections between geopolitics, energy security, and climate change adaptation policies in Norway by addressing the following research question: does securitizing the oil and gas industry due to geopolitical shifts impact adaptation policies? Recently, events like the war in Ukraine and the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline have reshaped the geopolitical landscape in Europe and influenced Norway as an energy supplier. The paper delves into the meaning of securitization within the context of Norway's oil and gas industry, which has become a matter of societal safety and security, a process that can skew policy priorities, potentially slowing down the implementation of adaptation measures. For instance, financial resources may be diverted toward increasing the security of the oil and gas sector, while political decisions may undervalue adaptation achievements. By examining these dynamics through exploratory scenarios, the paper aims to provide trade-offs between the oil and gas industry and adaptation. The paper's goal is to shed light on Norway's significant dilemma: how to reconcile its ambitious commitment to becoming a low-emission society by 2050 with its substantially increased role as an oil and gas producer and supplier since the war in Ukraine started.

Keywords: Climate change adaptation, Energy policy, Energy state, European gas market, Geopolitics, Oil and gas sector, Securitization.