About
Mission
Through research, the publication of studies, information releases (particularly through the media and internet) and the organisation of courses and training programmes, CIEP makes a fundamental contribution to the public debate on international politics and economic developments in the energy sector (oil, gas and electricity).
Objectives
- To serve as an independent forum for governments, non-governmental organisations, the business community, politics, the academic world, media and other stakeholders or interested parties.
- To gather and develop information and knowledge about international political and economic developments in the energy sector on the basis of research,
- To propagate information and knowledge about international political and economic developments in the energy sector by means of seminars, conferences, lectures, courses, publications and information releases via the media. CIEP publications and research results are made primarily available through the CIEP website www.clingendael.nl/ciep.
- To initiate discussions about current events and future developments relevant to the energy sector, energy policy, legislation and the relationship between the government and the private sector.
Research and activities
CIEP’s current research and activities for 2009-2012 revolve around the issue of the growing mismatch between long-term energy needs, climate change visions and short-term market developments. It focuses on three main subject areas, which are further described on the CIEP Research page:
- Development of European Energy Markets oil, gas and electricity) in which CIEP addresses the long process of liberalisation including regulatory and organisational change and the transition towards a low-carbon European energy market,
- International economic and geopolitical aspects of the oil and gas markets, mainly with respect to the security of oil and gas supply in the European Union, in the context of an increasing dependence on imported energy;
- Energy and sustainable development, with the focus on transition towards and governance structures of decarbonised energy markets,
The staff of the Clingendael International Energy Programme, in conjunction with the staff of the Institute at large, develops courses and training programmes on the above-mentioned themes. CIEP publications and research results are made available primarily through the CIEP website (www.clingendael.nl/ciep), which forms part of the Clingendael website.
History
In September 2001, the Netherlands Institute for International Relations, ‘Clingendael’, launched the Clingendael International Energy Programme (CIEP). Supported by twelve institutions from the public and private sectors, CIEP participates in and seeks to make significant and substantive contributions to the public debates on national and international developments in the energy sector. After the initial period 2001-2004, CIEP continued largely on the same footing as the previous years based on the plan and estimated budget as described in the document CIEP 2005-2008, Towards a European Forum and agreed upon by the Board of Stichting Fonds Clingendael and seventeen participating institutions.
The main reasons for initiating CIEP were:
- The need for a forum to discuss developments in the European energy markets, e.g. the liberalisation of the European energy market, which will impact the organisation of the market, government energy policies and strategies of companies operating in the energy sector. These changes in the internal European market take place against the backdrop of an expanding European Union, increased dependency on imported fossil fuels and efforts to address environmental concerns;
- The concerns raised in public debates about security of supply and a growing import dependency, not only for European Union member states but also for other major consumer regions. These concerns will influence the policy options and choices of both consumers and producers. The political and economic developments in, for instance, the United States, Russia, the Middle East, the Caspian Sea region, and Asia, are therefore important in assessing the developments in the European energy situation.
Support
CIEP is endorsed by BP, Delta, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Electrabel GDF-Suez.Eneco, EBN B.V., Essent, Esso Nederland, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GasTerra, Nederlandse Gasunie, ING, NAM, NUON, Oranje-Nassau Groep, Port of Rotterdam, RWE, Shell Nederland, Total E&P Nederland, the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, Vopak Oil Europe Middle East & Africa, Wintershall