Institute for Climate Risk & Response Seminar: Professor Elizabeth Thurbon
Green Energy Statecraft for Comprehensive National Security.
Professor Thurbon delivered a seminar on Green Energy Statecraft on Tuesday 4 November 2025.
Abstract: Research and analysis have highlighted the potential national security benefits of the green energy transition in terms of its economic, social, environmental and geostrategic payoffs. But these components have not been integrated in a strategic new approach to energy transition governance. My colleagues and I call this new approach Green Energy Statecraft, offering it as an ‘ideal type’ conceptual framework for researchers and national decision makers alike to better develop ambitious, strategic and effective green energy policy.
In this talk I will outline the origins and contours of the GES concept. I will also offer a concrete example of what GES could look like in Australia, especially when it comes to catalysing Australia's clean commodities industries like green iron, through a discussion of the Clean Commodities Trading Initiative currently being advanced by the GES Project in close collaboration with Industry and NGO partners. Through initiatives like these, Australia has the opportunity use to energy transition to advance a comprehensive national security enhancing agenda, boosting energy, economic, environmental, social and geostrategic security simultaneously.
