Former UN official says Middle East tensions underscore urgency of green transition
Brussels (ANTARA) - Tensions in the Middle East and global oil market volatility could serve as a catalyst for countries to switch to renewable energy, according to former United Nations Under-Secretary-General Erik Solheim.
“The crisis in the Middle East reinforces this because everyone wants to be energy independent,” Solheim told Xinhua in a recent interview, specifically highlighting the impact of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Solheim argues that the current instability is pushing countries to seek domestic energy security by moving away from highly unstable oil markets towards green energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power.
Solheim warns that energy crises have the greatest impact on vulnerable and low-income countries because they drive up fertiliser and transportation costs. To mitigate this impact, he calls for global norms of cooperation.
Solheim asserts that green technology is no longer just an environmental choice but an economic necessity. “If you switch to solar power, you will save money,” he said, while describing renewables as the cheapest and most readily scalable energy source currently available.
Impressed by China’s energy resilience, he highlights China’s strong domestic energy system and rapidly growing electric vehicle industry as key factors in its energy security.
China is now a major player in the green industry, producing the majority of the world’s solar panels and electric batteries, he said.
The former UN official also stated that many countries are wary of over-reliance on policy changes from Washington, which can cause oil prices to fluctuate based on the latest rumours.
Therefore, leaders are considering stable domestic energy sources based on sunlight, wind, and rivers.
Solheim urges European countries and other global partners to welcome cooperation with China’s green industry, warning that trade barriers will only slow the pace of the green transition and undermine the fight against climate change.