The Future of Eastern Mediterranean Energy and Climate Collaboration

Over the last few years, the Eastern Mediterranean region has been struggling to capitalize on its natural gas resources due to several technical and financial obstacles and concerns over long-term access to markets in light of European decarbonization plans. These obstacles have been compounded by rising tensions and existing disputes between regional countries. The Russia-Ukraine war and the urgent European need to find alternative gas suppliers to reduce dependence on Russia have created a window of opportunity for regional producers to find short-term collaboration arrangements to export gas to Europe. However, this rush for market access has the potential to disrupt the region’s own energy transition to the new global economy. Alignment to grand strategies by global powers also risks undermining the regional collaboration required for climate action. Instead of prioritizing short-term gains, successful regional collaboration must focus on coordinating national energy and climate plans and developing regionally appropriate policies and solutions.