NATO and Energy Security

Michael RühleHead, Energy Security Section

NATO Emerging Security Challenges Division

13 June 2013

“The key is not to predict the future but to be prepared for it”

Perikles

NATO’s Role in Energy Security

• Consultations among Allies and with partners• Intelligence-sharing• Exchange of Best Practices on Critical Energy

Infrastructure Protection (CEIP)• Enhance capacity to support CEIP (e.g. in the

maritime domain)• Dialogue with other institutions and the private

sector• Promoting energy efficiency in the military

The Need for a Broader Perspective

• Vulnerabilities– Cyber– Terrorism– Piracy– Natural Disasters

• “Economization of Security” (M. Klare)– Quest for resources risks trumping other

security considerations

Implications of Energy Developments

• Implications of US “energy independence” for

transatlantic relations

• Implications of Asia’s growing energy needs

• Implications of low gas prices for Russia’s economy

The Resource/Conflict Nexus

• South China Sea disputes

• North-South Sudan

• Israel-Egypt

Energy and environmental change

• High North energy exploitation

• New shipping routes (incl. risk of accidents)

• Water management/Desertification

Training & Education

• Energy security awareness courses

• Scenario-building workshops

• Integrate energy into staff-level exercises

Improving the energy efficiency of military forces

• Exchange national best practices on military energy efficiency

• Set energy efficiency standards of equipment and procedures

• Train military on saving energy and protecting the environment

Forward-looking discussions

• Look at broader trends, not just at emerging crises

• Bring other stakeholders (e.g. private sector) into the dialogue

• Enhance in-house analytical toolbox

Conclusion: Applying Noah’s Rule

Predicting Rain doesn’t count. Building Arks does.