{"id":7141,"date":"2024-08-27T23:53:15","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T20:53:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/?p=7141"},"modified":"2025-07-20T16:18:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T13:18:21","slug":"sustainable-ei","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/2024\/08\/sustainable-ei\/","title":{"rendered":"Can the Sustainable Energy Transition Be a Catalyst for Cooperation to Establish Lasting Peace in the Eastern Mediterranean? – Emre \u0130\u015feri"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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As the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye enters its second century, it has still been unable to solve various foreign policy problems traced back to the Ottoman Empire. Foremost among these problems is the issue of the sovereignty of Cyprus, which has at times mortgaged T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s general relations with the West and, specifically, its relationship with the European Union (EU). Another disputed issue concerns the ownership of potential fossil fuel reserves in areas adjacent to the island and transmission routes to connect these resources to energy markets. However, in the aftermath of the 1999 earthquakes, the relations between T\u00fcrkiye and Greece, the main stakeholders of the Cyprus dispute, entered a period of detente. During this period, discoveries in Cyprus\u2019s offshore waters (and their transmission projects to Europe via T\u00fcrkiye) had raised hopes among liberal circles that lasting peace was coming to the region. At the current stage, however, the process has not only led to a further unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of Cyprus. Still, it has also exacerbated the geopolitical rivalry between Greece and T\u00fcrkiye in the Eastern Mediterranean.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As in the aftermath of the 1999 earthquakes, the new rapprochement between the two countries that emerged in the aftermath of the earthquakes of 6 February 2023. This new chapter in Greek- -Turkish relations also raised questions about whether concrete steps would be taken to address the ongoing problems including the increasing armament in the region as well as the sovereignty and resource ownership dispute in Cyprus<\/a>. At this point, the following remarks<\/a> by  then Turkish Foreign Minister Mevl\u00fct \u00c7avu\u015fo\u011flu, who met with his Greek counterpart on 19 February, were noteworthy<\/a>: \u201cIn the past we supported each other as neighbors [referring to the mutual aid during the 1999 earthquakes]. Yes, we had disagreements and sometimes escalations. However, as we discussed with [then Greek Foreign Minister] Nikos Dendias on the way to Hatay, we should de-escalate and not wait for another disaster to occur in order to work together.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mediterranean as a climate hotspot<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is unclear whether Foreign Minister \u00c7avu\u015fo\u011flu had the \u201cclimate crisis\u201d in mind when he used the concept of \u201cdisaster\u201d in his speech. However, as stated in the 2023 synthesis report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), one thing is clear: Although the impact of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and climate change on biodiversity has reached an irreversible stage in certain areas, humanity still has mitigation\/adaptation options in its hands. The same report emphasizes that international cooperation, ambitious emission reductions (such as fossil fuel phase-out and increasing the use of renewable energy), adaptation (such as forest fire warning systems and efficient irrigation in agriculture), and climate-resilient development will be critical enablers to combat climate change successfully.<\/a> At the regional level, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) describes the Mediterranean as a \u201cclimate change hotspot\u201d.<\/a> It draws attention to the fact that it is warming 20% more than global averages. In this context, UNEP has determined that the region is vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis (drought, heat waves, increased risk of forest fires, and decreases in agricultural yields). Indeed, the southern parts of the Mediterranean suffer from various internal mobility consequences caused by climate-related events, including the disruption of regular migration flows due to climate change –the threat multiplier of the 21st<\/sup> century.<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although both reports call for emergency to develop common climate policies in the Mediterranean, the political decision-makers of the region\u2019s countries in general, T\u00fcrkiye and Greece in particular, remain indifferent. To add insult to injury, Greek and Turkish policy makers are militarizing their countries\u2019 foreign policies against each other<\/a> and engaging in geopolitical competition over the dominance of potential fossil fuels in the region, as mentioned above. Looking at the equation in terms of energy consumption, it is seen that the countries of the region continue to consume fossil fuels at the level of 80-85% in primary energy and 60-65% in electricity (Table 1). Considering the Mediterranean basin\u2019s abundant renewable energy sources (i.e. solar and wind<\/a>) waiting to be developed, those littoral countries\u2019 over dependence on fossil fuel is quite paradoxical.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooperation as a matter of survival in the fight against climate change<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the people of Greece and T\u00fcrkiye, two neighboring countries in the Mediterranean, continue to experience the adverse effects of climate change more and more each year, decision-makers continue to prioritize state-centered security concerns over this vital security issue and insist on adopting carbon-intensive economic models. Yet, a group of Greek academics (Alexis Heraclides, Andreas Stergiou, Theodoros Tsikas, Konstantinos Tsitselikis) propose a different approach to Greek-Turkish relations:<\/a> \u201c\u2026the two countries face common threats to biodiversity and fishery activities, as well as climate security challenges and environmental degradation, that can only be addressed by joint trans-boundary action. In the face of the daunting climate-related challenges that are expected to hit the Eastern Mediterranean especially hard, cooperation is not a matter of choice but of necessity and survival<\/em>.\u201d [emphasis added by the author] The foremost areas of cooperation are undoubtedly joint renewable energy resource development (such as high-efficiency offshore wind turbines), technological investments (such as green hydrogen), and the establishment of mutual electricity grids, in line with the fight against the common climate. The first of these steps may be the inclusion of T\u00fcrkiye in the \u201cEuroAsia Interconnector\u201d project. The project, which falls within the scope of the EU\u2019s  Project Common Interest (PCI), is an \u201cElectricity Highway\u201d that will connect the national electricity grids of Israel, Cyprus, and Greece on a 1,208 km submarine and transmit the region\u2019s electricity \u2013 mainly generated from renewable energy \u2013 to Europe (Map 1<\/a>). Such a decision will pave the way for the production of common climate policies in the Mediterranean and be a catalyst for cooperation that will establish lasting peace. As long as political decision-makers securitize such a cooperation initiative as a matter of survival for the region\u2019s people.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table 1<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Share of Electricity Generation by Source, 2021<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Terawatt\/hour, TWh)<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Countries \u2192<\/strong> Resources<\/strong> \u2193<\/strong> <\/td>Cyprus<\/strong> <\/td>Greece<\/strong> <\/td>T\u00fcrkiye<\/strong> <\/td>Egypt<\/strong> <\/td>Libya<\/strong> <\/td>Israel<\/strong> <\/td>Lebanon<\/strong> <\/td>Syria<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
Bioenergy<\/strong> <\/td>1,17% <\/td>0,91% <\/td>1,93% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0,14% <\/td>0,15% <\/td>0,06% <\/td><\/tr>
Solar Energy<\/strong> <\/td>9,18% <\/td>9,61% <\/td>4,18% <\/td>2,37% <\/td>0,03% <\/td>6,35% <\/td>0,58% <\/td>0% <\/td><\/tr>
Wind Power<\/strong> <\/td>4,88% <\/td>19,18% <\/td>9,43% <\/td>2,09% <\/td>0% <\/td>0,26% <\/td>0,05% <\/td>0% <\/td><\/tr>
Hydropower<\/strong> <\/td>0% <\/td>10,18% <\/td>16,78% <\/td>6,92% <\/td>0% <\/td>0,03% <\/td>4,71% <\/td>4,47% <\/td><\/tr>
Coal<\/strong> <\/td>0% <\/td>9,73% <\/td>30,48% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>26,67% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td><\/tr>
Oil<\/strong> <\/td>84,77% <\/td>8,62% <\/td>0,62% <\/td>12,92% <\/td>28,91% <\/td>0% <\/td>61,81% <\/td>33,47% <\/td><\/tr>
Gas<\/strong> <\/td>0% <\/td>41,15% <\/td>33,35% <\/td>75,69% <\/td>71,06% <\/td>66,56% <\/td>32,70% <\/td>61,46% <\/td><\/tr>
Nuclear Energy<\/strong> <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td><\/tr>
Other Renewables<\/strong> <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>3,24% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td>0% <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Note: <\/strong>\u201cOther Renewables\u201d includes; waste-to-energy, geothermal energy, wave energy, and tidal power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: <\/strong>Ourworldindata (date accessed: 28.09.2023) https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Map 1: <\/strong>EuroAsia Interconnector Project <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Content<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Translation:<\/strong> \u015eeyma \u00d6zdo\u011fan, Kadir Has University <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prof. Dr. Emre \u0130\u015feri, Ya\u015far University<\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In addition to being the Director of Ya\u015far University Mediterranean Applications and Research Center, he works as a full-time faculty member in the Department of International Relations. Recent undergraduate\/graduate courses include International Political Economy, Research Methods in Social Sciences, Middle Eastern Politics, Energy Politics, Turkish Foreign Policy. His current research interests include Mediterranean Studies, energy and climate politics and Turkish foreign policy. He has held various positions in various international\/national academic research projects. His work has been published in several international\/national books and journals. Among the international journals mentioned are: Geopolitics, Energy Policy, Journal of Balkan and Near East Studies, Environment, and Planning C, South European Society Politics and Turkish Studies. His most recent work was published in a edited volume titled \u201cTurkey’s Energy Policy: Path Dependency of Carbon Lock-In\u201d published by Edinburgh University Press. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Bu yaz\u0131ya at\u0131f i\u00e7in:<\/strong>\u00a0 Emre \u0130\u015feri, \u201cCan the Sustainable Energy Transition Be a Catalyst for Cooperation to Establish Lasting Peace in the Eastern Mediterranean?\u201d Panorama, Online, 28 August 2024,<\/a> www.uikpanorama.com\/blog\/2024\/08\/27\/sustainable-ei\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Telif@UIKPanorama<\/em>. \u00c7evrimi\u00e7i olarak yay\u0131mlanan yaz\u0131lar\u0131n t\u00fcm telif haklar\u0131 Panorama dergisine aittir. Aksi belirtilmedi\u011fi s\u00fcrece, yay\u0131mlanan yaz\u0131larda belirtilen g\u00f6r\u00fc\u015fler yaln\u0131zca yazar\u0131na\/yazarlar\u0131na aittir. U\u0130K, Global Akademi, Panorama Yay\u0131n Kurulu ile edit\u00f6rleri ve di\u011fer yazarlar\u0131 ba\u011flamaz. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye enters its second century, it has still been unable to solve various foreign policy problems traced back to the Ottoman Empire. Foremost among these problems is the issue of the sovereignty of Cyprus, which has at times mortgaged T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s general relations with the West and, specifically, its relationship with the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":217,"featured_media":6266,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[486,510,501,508],"tags":[608,792,640,655,650],"class_list":["post-7141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion","category-100-years-of-the-republic","category-mediterranean","category-turkey","tag-energy-environment-resources","tag-international-energy-policies","tag-sustainable-energy","tag-turkce","tag-turkiye"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/217"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7141\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalpanorama.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}