Meet Paula Kivimaa

Paula is a Research Professor at the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and an Associate in the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex, UK. Focusing on the role of the public sector and governance in advancing transitions to a zero-carbon society, she has not only published countless research papers but also contributed to policy reports addressed to the OECD, the European Commission, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the UK government, and the Finnish government.

Her current work on the connections between national security, defense and energy policies in the context of the energy transition in Finland, Estonia, Norway and the UK optimally links to the topic of EASAC’s upcoming new report.

The Working Group of the Security of Sustainable Energy Supplies (SoSES) Project brings together 27 energy scholars across multiple disciplines and is working on a comprehensive account of current scientific knowledge on the security of sustainable energy supply incorporating diverse perspectives on this complex matter.

Social scientists must be part of the energy conversation

“Besides the tightening geopolitical situation, the advancing energy transition changes the conditions for the security of energy supply,” says Paula. “It’s not just a technical issue. It is shaped by how energy and security domains are governed, how citizens experience energy security and how developments in international relations influence the availability and price of energy across country borders. Social science is needed to bring these additional perspectives into discussions about energy security and how it can be advanced in the context of energy transitions.”

Climate change is and will be one of the most prevalent security risks for the EU and the world in the coming decades. Hence, EU energy and climate policy needs to continue an ambitious track to make sure that future greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, and the energy systems are better prepared for the escalating direct and indirect impacts of climate change. “Many measures of the Green Deal have already improved European energy security. Investments into renewable energy and energy demand reduction will reduce Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels,” underlines Paula, “but the EU needs to anticipate other security risks better than before.”

Stay tuned for a portrait of Claire Dupont, who is teaming up with Paula in chairing the Working Group.