Redefining Energy in the Post-Pandemic Era
| Date | 01 August 2020 |
| Pages | 164-168 |
| Published date | 01 August 2020 |
| DOI | 10.3366/gels.2020.0021 |
The COVID-19 pandemic and its spread has shaken the world to its core, and not least the energy sector, where its sudden onset highlighted shifts long in need of undertaking. While most countries’ energy transition plans and sustainable development goals (SDGs) should have served as the main catalyzers for change in the industry, the COVID-19 pandemic crystalized the urgency for its reconstruction. Beyond the pandemic, an unexpected decrease in oil prices also emerged that demanded a reconsideration of the energy sector and its foundations within the global economy. In other words, ongoing global changes became plainer to see as a result of the pandemic. In this regard, the energy transition can play a crucial role in necessary access to renewables and sustainability of energy activities.
Furthermore, the pandemic has highlighted the environmental aspect of the sector. Awareness of the extent of environmental damage has been raised as a consequence of lockdown measures across the world.
This paper will discuss the new legal framework of energy sector and the definition of energy under international law in the post-pandemic era. Three dimensions will be approached to this end; the financial aspects of the regime, new understanding of commons and international law.
Energy-related issues have significant importance for every academic discipline. In the legal realm, the definition of energy is remarkably unclear. While energy is a main term, energy services, materials, economic activities in the energy sector, investments, transit and transportation are defined with similar wording in various treaties or agreements. However, the definition of energy in the legal context is essential in improving the legal regime in this area and to help to understand and resolve the disputes arising from or related to energy.
This fragmentation in the energy sector is the due consequence of the fragmented
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