Weaponised Energy and Climate Change: Assessing Europe’s Response to the Ukraine War

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has produced the biggest energy shock to Europe since 1970s oil crises. It also laid bare strategic blunder at heart Europe’s policy – its long-standing dependence on Russian supplies. With Moscow weaponising dominant position in system, European leaders had little choice but wean off addiction cheap gas and oil. This article explores Union’s response war impact climate policy. addresses two questions: First, what extent succeeded reducing reliance fossil fuels, cost? And second, how push for independence affected continent’s commitment implementing net zero transition? I argue that one year after invasion, EU’s decoupling from Russia progressed such an is close losing stranglehold over Europe. Furthermore, although crisis far over, have renewed their agenda accelerated investments green energy. In short run, pursuit security may temporarily set back ambition. However, as discovered by end 2022, decarbonisation ultimately best long-term strategy security.