Arctic gas reserves will become more economically attractive as a source of energy as currently available resources are depleted. Thus political and economic cooperation and joint infrastructure networks must be established to ensure the energy security of Europe. The unique physical environment of the Arctic will be examined against its complex geopolitical background in order to demonstrate why energy policy in the Arctic and in Europe should remain de-securitised and how this could be achieved through international cooperation.

The project brings together international relations theory (Copenhagen and Welsh School of Thought) with current approaches in political geography. Methodology entails qualitative research: interviews with officials, archival and discourse analysis, and international policy analysis.

Geography, Energy and International Relations are combined under the Arctic umbrella. As ESRC quotes, “…we need a better understanding of geo-politics, regulation and energy security as well as developing further insights at individual, household and organisational levels of patterns of consumption and how best to motivate behaviour change”.