Energy Policy for Peace

Though sustainable development goals and other international initiatives have insisted on the importance of energy access in peace building, there is still little understanding about the extent to which energy systems themselves can contribute to or mitigate structural violence. While there are ample relevant examples globally from a diverse literature and increasing body of case studies, this knowledge has not been systematically organized to show theoretical alternatives to current energy systems or deliver practical policy advice in building such alternatives.

Informed by the contributions of a multidisciplinary global author pool, Energy Policy for Peace provides both a new foundation for researchers and practitioners exploring how energy systems can be changed to build positive peace, and a toolkit for redressing structural violence. The work opens by reviewing how unequal energy access strengthens structural violence. It argues that increasing access to energy access may be an important tool in mitigating structural violence. It concludes with practical policy recommendations and institutional reforms designed to mitigate the structural violence embedded in many energy systems and develop energy strategies for peace building.

• Reviews the characteristics of energy systems that enable positive peace
• Discusses practical recommendations to achieve positive peace through energy strategy and policies
• Draws on an array of real-world case studies drawn from an exemplary team of international practitioners
• Provides a toolkit of policy options for stakeholders interested in redressing structural violence

Social scientists exploring problems from peace and conflict studies, structural violence, and the resource curse, particularly as it relates to energy policy, and broadly across the energy, environment and peace and conflict studies fields. Graduate and 1st year PhD students. International organisations. Government scientists and analysts. Government policymakers. Development institutions

PART 1: Energy for Peace
1. History and Background
2. Basic principles and Analytical approaches
3. Specific Methods

PART 2: Country Studies
4. Balkans
5. South Sudan
6. North Africa to EU
7. Bangladesh
8. Myanmar
9. Columbia
10. Comparison of Country Studies: Pros and Cons of Approaches

PART 3: For Positive Peace
11. Enabling Systems: Micro-grid, Interconnectivity, and Benefit-sharing
12. Limitations and Implications