Energy & Environment

Energy & Environment

The ability to secure sources of energy is a vital national security interest for every country in the world. A dramatic increase in new energy sources and methods for capture and storage have redefined the global energy landscape, providing more options beyond traditional oil and coal. At the same time, concern about climate change and environmental degradation is forcing political and business leaders to balance their economic goals with potential environmental consequences.

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Recent analysis

The 2026 Global Energy Agenda

Dispatches Mar 17, 2026

How the Iran war could trigger a European energy crisis

By Lisa Basquel

Refilling Europe’s depleted gas storage—already a difficult task given the continent’s efforts to stop purchasing Russian gas—is even more difficult now with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed.
Conflict Economy & Business
The 2026 Global Energy Agenda

Dispatches Mar 12, 2026

Energy under attack: What the Gulf can learn from Ukraine and Iraq

By Matthew Keating

In their successes and shortcomings, Iraq and Ukraine are cases worth studying by countries currently under attack from Iran.
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
The 2026 Global Energy Agenda

MENASource Mar 10, 2026

How to understand the Iran war market swings: A geopolitical put option

By Khalid Azim

The two most important determinants of an option’s price are time to expiration and volatility.
Economy & Business Iran

Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals

Programs

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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The Climate Resilience Center creates and delivers transformative solutions that improve lives, protect livelihoods, and expand opportunity for communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. The Center is committed to reaching one billion people around the world with resilience solutions to climate change by 2030.

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The latest from EnergySource

EnergySource

Apr 8, 2026

The Hormuz crisis is making low-carbon energy strategies more expensive

By Alvin Camba

Shortages of sulfur, which is derived from oil and gas and is a key element for low-carbon energy technologies, has short- and long-term implications for renewable energy and energy security.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Apr 6, 2026

Why US-Israeli attacks on Iran’s grid and water systems would be counterproductive

By Joseph Webster, Ginger Matchett

Striking energy and water-related infrastructure in Iran would do little damage to the county's military capabilities. Instead, it would hurt civilians and potentially escalate the conflict.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Apr 3, 2026

How the Iran war could shift energy policies around the world

By Atlantic Council Experts

The Strait of Hormuz closure has sparked fuel shortages and soaring energy costs, but also new opportunities for energy producers. How different regions respond to these disruptions could reshape the future of energy markets and security.

Africa Energy & Environment
Read More from EnergySource

Content

Global Energy Agenda

Apr 28, 2026

The 2026 Global Energy Agenda

By Landon Derentz, Christine Suh, and Paul Kielstra

The Atlantic Council is pleased to present its sixth Global Energy Agenda that shares new insights from thought leaders and our annual survey of experts from around the world. 

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Global Energy Agenda

Apr 28, 2026

Nuclear energy for an era of rising demand and strategic risk

By Maria Korsnick

As electricity demand and geopolitical tensions rise, nuclear energy stands out as a crucial pillar in countries' energy security strategies.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Global Energy Agenda

Apr 28, 2026

The infrastructure that will drive energy innovation and competitiveness

By Amy Brachio

Companies across industries are investing in lower-carbon production. What's needed now to drive competition and innovation is the right carbon measurement system.

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

Transcript

Apr 23, 2026

Full transcript: The 2026 Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards honor leaders shaping the future with a collaborative spirit

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council honored two trailblazing corporate leaders, a military official, and a Grammy-winning country music artist for their roles in shaping the global landscape.

Freedom and Prosperity NATO

Issue briefs and reports

Apr 22, 2026

The shadow fleet is undermining the maritime order more brazenly than ever

By Elisabeth Braw

The shadow fleet—ships sailing outside the official shipping system — has grown to encompass more than a thousand oil tankers globally. Iranian shadow vessels slipping through the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are the latest sign that the fleet and its main sponsor, Russia, have responded to enforcement attempts with ever more brazen violations.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Report

Apr 22, 2026

Redefining power systems: Turkish electric-sector engagement in Africa

By Shaheer Hussam

The report examines how Turkey has become a $100B energy infrastructure player across Africa—and what that means for North American and European firms.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Dispatches

Apr 21, 2026

The Strait of Hormuz closure forces a choice: Ration oil now or pay a steep price later

By Joseph Webster and Reid I’Anson

Instead of subsidizing demand or releasing scarce reserves too quickly, policymakers should emphasize the rationing of scarce supplies.

Conflict Economy & Business

MENASource

Apr 20, 2026

‘They have been exposed’: The Iran war upends Gulf states’ security and business model

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

The Iran war threatens the sense of security, prosperity, and opportunity that the Gulf states have spent years cultivating as they seek to diversify their economies away from oil.

Critical Infrastructure Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

Podcast

Apr 16, 2026

Ajay Banga on the global economic outlook amid war with Iran

By the Atlantic council

At an AC Front Page event on April 7, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga warned the world to expect “some degree of high inflation and some degree of lower growth” due to the Iran war.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Dispatches

Apr 14, 2026

15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

By Kate Burnett, Kevin Li, Lisa Basquel, and Chloe O’Connor

Until it was effectively closed, the waterway had been a critical artery for not only crude oil and liquefied natural gas, but several critical commodities as well.

Conflict Economy & Business
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Experts

Hana Abdelatty

Staff

Hana Abdelatty

Associate Director

Climate Resilience Center

Arabic Climate Change & Climate Action

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic China

Fellow

Mahmoud Abouelnaga

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Africa Americas

Fellow

Hager Abunahwa

Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment

Fellow

Max Adams

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

Fellow

Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East
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Events

Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals