Summary

Reaching global climate goals requires a fundamental transformation of energy systems that still rely heavily on burning fossil fuels. However, the current plans and projections of governments do not match these climate targets and despite their support for the Paris Agreement, few governments have acknowledged the need to phase out fossil fuel production and taken policy steps to do so.

This research draws on textual analysis of policy documents and public statements related to oil and gas production to shed light on how power relations are leveraged to slow down the energy transition and perpetuate commitments to and dependencies on fossil fuel production. More specifically, it explores how national governments in Nigeria and Colombia use discursive strategies to justify developing further oil and gas production against the backdrop of the climate crisis.

Key messages

Mineral security is a policy pursuit that is laden with social and political values that go far beyond the materiality of these naturally occurring elements and compounds.

• Policy Context: Mineral security involves developmental, environmental, and geostrategic goals, reflecting how states perceive and prioritize threats;
• Global vs. National Framing: Current national strategies can create zero-sum perceptions, but a global approach could reveal that sufficient mineral reserves do exist and meeting demand is in fact impeded by far more factors than lack of minerals alone;
• Opportunities for Collaboration: Engaging with developing countries can address governance and environmental issues in mineral supply chains. Initiatives like the USA’s Minerals Security Partnership and the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Club should consider an open dialogue, with an eye towards wider multilateral consensus;
• Climate Action and Trade: Whilst political consensus exists on climate action as a global good, trade restrictions in the clean energy sphere have turned some of the climate action space into an interstate battleground. The scope of already existing cooperative agreements should be widened to include the minerals sector to reduce both the economic and environmental costs of green transition.
• Economic Resilience: The pursuit of economic security should be seen as an opportunity for resilience rather than a zero-sum competition. Diversifying supply chains and enhancing recycling can stabilize the global market.
• Broader Security Considerations: Mineral security should recognize diverse risks faced by various stakeholders. While geopolitical tensions exist, addressing broader forms of insecurity can foster shared benefits for global and human security, promoting cooperation instead of conflict.

Citation

Strambo, C., Ivleva, D., Bachmann, S., & Arond, E. (2024). How do governments discursively reconcile plans for expanding oil and gas production with global climate goals? The cases of Colombia and Nigeria, Political Geography,Volume 116, 2025,103243,

doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2024.103243%EF%BB%BF