Pentagon’s Critical Mineral Stockpiling Plan Points To Shortage Expectations
Defense Logistics Agency is buying critical minerals to secure supply chains from China's control. Stockpiling efforts are ramping up.
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Our current geopolitical environment can be characterized as a “mega-VUCA” world. In this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment, energy and geopolitics remain closely intertwined. The fate of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or Brexit could have significant energy market implications. Similarly, US sanctions policy could have an impact on energy supply and European energy security. Tensions between Qatar and its partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council could disrupt global LNG markets. And fragmenting relations among nations could disrupt energy trade flows around the world.
On October 11–12, 2017, Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, in collaboration with Statoil’s Global Strategy and Business Development unit, hosted a workshop at the Columbia Global Center in Paris to explore the intersection of energy and geopolitics in oil and gas markets, in climate policy, and across a range of cross-cutting topics, such as national security and cybersecurity. This summary highlights the main points of discussion during the two-day workshop, which was conducted under the Chatham House Rule on a nonattribution basis.
CGEP scholars reflect on some of the standout issues of the day during this year's Climate Week
Plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping the transportation energy landscape, providing a practical alternative to petroleum fuels for a growing number of applications. EV sales grew 55× in the past decade (2014–2024) and 6× since 2020, driven by technological progress enabled by policies to reduce transportation emissions as well as industrial plans motivated by strategic value of EVs for global competitiveness, jobs and geopolitics. In 2024, 22% of passenger cars sold globally were EVs and opportunities for EVs beyond on-road applications are growing, including solutions to electrify off-road vehicles, maritime and aviation. This Review updates and expands our 2020 assessment of the scientific literature and describes the current status and future projections of EV markets, charging infrastructures, vehicle–grid integration and supply chains in the USA. EV is the lowest-emission motorized on-road transportation option, with life-cycle emissions decreasing as electricity emissions continue to decrease. Charging infrastructure grew in line with EV adoption but providing ubiquitous reliable and convenient charging remains a challenge. EVs are reducing electricity costs in several US markets and coordinated EV charging can improve grid resilience and reduce electricity costs for all consumers. The current trajectory of technology improvement and industrial investments points to continued acceleration of EVs. Electric vehicles are increasingly adopted in the USA, with concurrent expansion of charging infrastructure and electricity demand. This Review details these trends and discusses their drivers and broader implications.
US tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil may stem more from frustrations in US-India trade negotiations than from a concern about funding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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Summaries by , , • December 11, 2017