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Energy, Security, and Climate

CFR experts examine the science and foreign policy surrounding climate change, energy, and nuclear security.

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Why We Still Need Innovation in Successful Clean Energy Technologies

by Varun Sivaram September 14, 2018

Today is my last day at CFR. I’m joining ReNew Power, India’s largest renewable energy firm, as their CTO. I’m excited for a new adventure but sad to leave the Council, which has given me support and autonomy to study the innovations needed for global decarbonization. Read More

Featured

Kurds

Unraveling the Oil Geopolitics Intertwined in the Kurdish Independence Referendum
For over a decade, U.S. efforts to promote stability across the Middle East have run afoul of many complexities. The recent independence referendum in the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) territory …

Blog Post by Amy M. Jaffe October 4, 2017 Energy Realpolitik

Puerto Rico

Repowering Puerto Rico with Solar a Worthwhile Goal, But Harder Than It Sounds
In the wake of Hurricane Maria, there is an opportunity for Puerto Rico to reconstruct its energy infrastructure to be more resilient and efficient. However, if short-term rebuilding is prioritized over long-term restructuring, this critical window will be missed.

Blog Post by Guest blogger for Varun Sivaram October 26, 2017 Energy, Security, and Climate

Energy and Environment

How to Save Mission Innovation

Today officials are reporting President Trump plans to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. I’ve argued before that that would be an inexcusable foreign policy blunder…

Blog Post by Varun Sivaram May 31, 2017 Energy, Security, and Climate

United States

Could a U.S.-Russia Oil Showdown be Coming?
About a year ago, a seasoned U.S. oil leader with deep political connections explained to me that U.S. shale would be out of the woods by 2018. His thesis was straightforward: he thought the U.S. eco…

Blog Post by Amy M. Jaffe December 18, 2017 Energy Realpolitik

Technology and Innovation

An Energy Innovation Agenda for the Trump Administration
Democrats and Republicans are girding for battle over energy policy. The two parties are far apart on most issues, like the future of the Clean Power Plan and federal restrictions on oil and gas dril…

Blog Post by Varun Sivaram December 13, 2016 Energy, Security, and Climate

Nuclear Energy
Russia's Nuclear Diplomacy: How Washington Should Respond
This is a guest post by Sagatom Saha, the research Associate for energy and U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. Last week, Westinghouse Electric Company, the firm that once ma…
Blog Post by Guest blogger for Varun Sivaram April 7, 2017 Energy, Security, and Climate
India
India Makes Progress on Solar, But Barriers Remain
This guest post is co-authored by Sarang Shidore, a visiting scholar at the LBJ School at the University of Texas at Austin, and Joshua Busby, associate professor of public affairs at the Robert S. S…
Blog Post by Guest blogger for Varun Sivaram February 17, 2017 Energy, Security, and Climate
Climate Change
Climate Change Could Enhance Risk of Conflict
This is a guest post by Joshua Busby, Associate Professor of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and author of the CFR discussion paper, Water and U.S. National Security. It’s offici…
Blog Post by Guest blogger for Varun Sivaram January 26, 2017 Energy, Security, and Climate
  • Technology and Innovation
    Curious About Clean Energy Innovation? Take This Class
    This fall, I created and taught a course at Georgetown University called “Clean Energy Innovation." The course, offered to undergraduates studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs (STIA…
    Blog Post by Varun Sivaram December 19, 2016 Energy, Security, and Climate
  • Climate Change
    Under Trump, Private Sector May Lead U.S. Climate Action
    This post is authored by Shayle Kann, the head of GTM Research and Senior Vice President at Greentech Media: a Wood Mackenzie Business. As the inauguration of President Donald Trump approaches, th…
    Blog Post by Guest blogger for Varun Sivaram December 15, 2016 Energy, Security, and Climate