China’s foreign oil policy: genesis, deployment and selected effects

China is a rising global power with a growing role and impact on the world’s energy markets as well as on the Earth’s climate system. China pursues its development in an essentially non-confrontational manner, a vision encapsulated by the notion of peaceful rise which is viewed positively in the world’s major capitals. Nevertheless, China’s rapid growth represents a genuine global challenge and raises many questions. How is China dealing with its growing need for imported crude oil? What is the impact of China’s rise on the global oil market, notably in terms of oil price developments? Are Chinese actions on oil markets different from those of other major importers? What opportunities and risks arise as a result of china’s growing role on the global oil market from the viewpoint of other global players? In this report we seek to offer some answers to those questions with a review of China’s developing energy policy, of the actions and revealed preferences of its national oil companies, and of broader economic and geopolitical analyses of the impact of China’s growing oil consumption on other global players.Crude oil, energy security, oil security, China, foreign oil policy

China's foreign oil policy: genesis, deployment and selected effects

China is a rising global power with a growing role and impact on the world's energy markets as well as on the Earth's climate system. China pursues its development in an essentially non-confrontational manner, a vision encapsulated by the notion of peaceful rise which is viewed positively in the world's major capitals. Nevertheless, China's rapid growth represents a genuine global challenge and raises many questions. How is China dealing with its growing need for imported crude oil? What is the impact of China's rise on the global oil market, notably in terms of oil price developments? Are Chinese actions on oil markets different from those of other major importers? What opportunities and risks arise as a result of china's growing role on the global oil market from the viewpoint of other global players? In this report we seek to offer some answers to those questions with a review of China's developing energy policy, of the actions and revealed preferences of its national oil companies, and of broader economic and geopolitical analyses of the impact of China's growing oil consumption on other global players

Restructuring of Energy-intensive Industrial Branches in Romania and Proposals for Industrial Policy Measures

Part 1 of the report provides an overview of the position of energy-intensive industries in Romania as compared to other Central and East European economies. The industries identified as particularly 'energy-intensive' are the paper industry, the chemical, the non-metallic mineral products and the basic metals industries. The countries selected for benchmarking are the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria. The comparison includes production, employment, productivity and investment including foreign direct investment in the respective branches. Part 2 presents a more detailed analysis of the most energy-intensive sub-branches (pulp & paper, basic chemicals, glass, ceramics, cement, iron & steel and aluminium) focusing on major performance indicators such as value added and foreign trade developments; also included is information on the ownership structure, status of modernization, compliance with the acquis and the further demand for restructuring. Part 3 points out the demand for and possibilities of policy support for the energy-intensive branches in Romania with a view to EU membership. A special focus is on sectoral issues (steel and basic chemicals), energy pricing (electricity, gas), regional, labour market and environmental issues

Restructuring of Energy-intensive Industrial Branches in Romania and Proposals for Industrial Policy Measures

Part 1 of the report provides an overview of the position of energy-intensive industries in Romania as compared to other Central and East European economies. The industries identified as particularly ‘energy-intensive’ are the paper industry, the chemical, the non-metallic mineral products and the basic metals industries. The countries selected for benchmarking are the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria. The comparison includes production, employment, productivity and investment including foreign direct investment in the respective branches. Part 2 presents a more detailed analysis of the most energy-intensive sub-branches (pulp & paper, basic chemicals, glass, ceramics, cement, iron & steel and aluminium) focusing on major performance indicators such as value added and foreign trade developments; also included is information on the ownership structure, status of modernization, compliance with the acquis and the further demand for restructuring. Part 3 points out the demand for and possibilities of policy support for the energy-intensive branches in Romania with a view to EU membership. A special focus is on sectoral issues (steel and basic chemicals), energy pricing (electricity, gas), regional, labour market and environmental issues.Romania, energy intensity, industrial policy, foreign trade, competitiveness

Models of BRICs' Economic Development and Challenges for EU Competitiveness

The term BRICs puts under a common label the four largest fast growing emerging countries Brazil, Russia, India and China. The BRICs show many common features, such as big land size, large population, fast economic growth etc., but important differences as well, due to their different models of economic development and resources endowments. In this report, we discuss the different models of economic development of the individual BRIC countries, with a special focus on their external relations (trade, FDI) and on likely future developments. Brazil is a domestically oriented service economy; Russia's economic development is heavily dependent on energy and raw material resources; the Indian economy is essentially service-led, supported by exports; and China's economic development is driven by manufacturing exports and investment. Finally, we explore the resulting future challenges and opportunities for EU competitiveness

Models of BRICs' Economic Development and Challenges for EU Competitiveness

The term BRICs puts under a common label the four largest fast growing emerging countries Brazil, Russia, India and China. The BRICs show many common features, such as big land size, large population, fast economic growth etc., but important differences as well, due to their different models of economic development and resources endowments. In this report, we discuss the different models of economic development of the individual BRIC countries, with a special focus on their external relations (trade, FDI) and on likely future developments. Brazil is a domestically oriented service economy; Russia's economic development is heavily dependent on energy and raw material resources; the Indian economy is essentially service-led, supported by exports; and China's economic development is driven by manufacturing exports and investment. Finally, we explore the resulting future challenges and opportunities for EU competitiveness.economic development, Brazil, Russia, India, China, the European Union, competitiveness

Western Balkans: Employment in the Gas and Electricity Sectors

The objective of this study is to analyse employment developments in the gas and electricity sectors in seven Western Balkan Contracting Parties of the Energy Community. These are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244/99. In addition, the impact of the liberalization of the respective markets is examined (quantitatively and qualitatively) and the most likely trends for the future development are identified. In more detail, the study analyses the current state of the gas and electricity sectors in the Western Balkan countries as well as the evolution of employment in these sectors and the different areas of activities by structural features. Based on results from interviews with the main stakeholders of the energy sector, it assesses the impact of liberalization and EU energy legislation on the number of jobs in the Western Balkan countries. We also examine the process of job destruction and job creation during the period of liberalization and restructuring and explore how different categories of workers are affected. Specific emphasis is given to the impact on the quality of jobs, such as changing skill requirements, improvements in work organization and working conditions

Western Balkans: Employment in the Gas and Electricity Sectors

Summary German (PDF) Summary French (PDF) The objective of this study is to analyse employment developments in the gas and electricity sectors in seven Western Balkan Contracting Parties of the Energy Community. These are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244/99. In addition, the impact of the liberalization of the respective markets is examined (quantitatively and qualitatively) and the most likely trends for the future development are identified. In more detail, the study analyses the current state of the gas and electricity sectors in the Western Balkan countries as well as the evolution of employment in these sectors and the different areas of activities by structural features. Based on results from interviews with the main stakeholders of the energy sector, it assesses the impact of liberalization and EU energy legislation on the number of jobs in the Western Balkan countries. We also examine the process of job destruction and job creation during the period of liberalization and restructuring and explore how different categories of workers are affected. Specific emphasis is given to the impact on the quality of jobs, such as changing skill requirements, improvements in work organization and working conditions.Western Balkans, energy market liberalization, employment, job quality, restructuring