OAFP 5725 - European Energy Policy

Will the European Union survive climate change, embrace the cleantech revolution and end its dependence on Russian energy? To tackle those three interlinked challenges, the European Union (EU) is attempting to perform its transition towards a clean energy future. This course highlights the stakes of this European energy transition, from a historical, political and economic perspective. It presents an overview of the content of the EU policies that impact the energy transition: climate, energy, transport, research and innovation, social justice, EU budget, investment and geopolitics. It takes stock of its impact on businesses, workers, and citizens –including Europeans who experience energy poverty. The course is made of lectures, case studies, a Simulation Game and writing a policy paper.

Basic knowledge on the European Union.

-Lectures given by the teacher.

-A series of 30-60 minutes lectures given by guests, especially to share diverse views, including views that are opposite to the teacher’s own views.

-Regular touchbase inside the classroom and online to guide each student in the policy-paper’s writing process.

-Regular case studies (20min) involving limiting preparation work (15min max per week).

-Reading of a few (max 5 in total) short written pieces to inform students ahead of the course.

-A two-hour Simulation Game at the end of the class, with strictly limited preparation work.

Policy paper, a written homework on a topic chosen by each student –in accordance with the Professors (70%) Students receive written and oral guidance throughout the semester. After submission, students may ask a bilateral feedback from the teachers, on the policy paper. Writing the policy-paper requires students to be well organised and to start working on the policy paper from September onwards.

Simulation Game, to assess the students' capacity to act as EU policy makers 30%

The use of AI is allowed at Sciences Po in accordance with institutional rules.

The student will need around maximum 1hour/week to read and understand the content of the required readings from some sessions –on average, a 5-15 page document, or short videos. Serious preparation is required for the policy-paper (from 20 to 40 hours, depending on the student).