In Geopolitics Today - Monday, July 19th
Australia May Have to Undertake a Drastic Green Transition and Policy of Non-alignment For States Caught in the Middle
Australia May Have to Undertake a Drastic Green Transition
Australia could reasonably be considered an energy superpower. As a major exporter of coal and natural gas, the country is responsible for a significant portion of the global supply of energy resources. In recent years, Australia has become the largest exporter of LNG in the world, and is the 2nd largest exporter of coal behind Indonesia.
However, at a time when the world is undergoing a transformation in global energy markets, Australia may have to take the initiative in a future where Australia’s geopolitical environment is rapidly changing. Christian Downie, Associate professor at the Australian National University, suggests three ways Australia can take advantage of the looming green energy transition, while avoiding the pitfalls of an overreliance on export markets.
First, Australia should harness its solar radiation resources in a bid to become energy self-sufficient, this would reduce vulnerability to potential energy supply disruptions. Second, Australia should pursue a policy of export dominance. By investing in green energies at home, Australia could position itself as a major player in the export of clean electricity, hydrogen and critical minerals. Third, the accrued economic leverage of a green transformation in Australia will open up opportunities to influence other countries and insulate Australia from risk.
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Policy of Non-alignment For States Caught in the Middle
Against the backdrop of worsening relations between the United States and China, when military cooperation between the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) nations continue to intensify, the region increasingly feels like a Cold War-like bloc battleground in the region. In such an environment, a non-aligned position may be a natural reaction for any state caught in the middle.
In the same way that the establishment of NATO was a means to balance against the Soviet Union in Europe, so it seems the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is intended to become a bulwark to China’s growing power and influence. China and Russia fear that the Quad will give the United States a foothold from which to shape the regional order to their disadvantage. A predictable response to bolstering the Quad structure from China would be to launch a counter-bloc.
In such a hostile environment, smaller states are hesitant to enter a new Cold War. For instance, South Korean and Vietnamese officials have already expressed a desire to mediate between the United States and China in their many disputes. These non-aligned states may even jostle to make the two blocs vie for influence through developmental projects, attempting to secure better deals for themselves in the process. But non-alignment does not necessarily mean neutrality or isolation, instead, a position of non-alignment aims to influence each bloc in order to modify their geopolitical outlook and policy to a more favourable outcome to the agent.
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