The green energy transition is reshaping global geopolitics by driving economic opportunity, energy security, and technological innovation. Unlike past energy systems reliant on fossil fuels, which concentrated power in a few oil- and gas-producing countries, renewable technologies like solar and wind offer widespread access and lower costs, enabling more nations to pursue energy independence. This shift has sparked intense international competition, with countries such as China, Turkey, and Pakistan rapidly deploying clean technologies to secure economic and geopolitical advantages. The transition also exposes vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting efforts to diversify and localize production of critical minerals and clean energy components.

To harness these dynamics effectively, global climate policy must evolve beyond emissions targets to emphasize industrial strategy and strategic investment. Reorienting institutions like the UNFCCC to focus on green industrial development, mobilizing capital especially in developing countries, and fostering plurilateral climate clubs can accelerate decarbonization. These clubs enable targeted cooperation on sectors like steel and critical minerals, creating secure markets and driving down costs. Together, these approaches could trigger a “green spiral” of self-sustaining innovation and deployment, transforming economies and geopolitical relations. Ultimately, the green transition is not just an environmental imperative but a profound geopolitical realignment, where clean energy becomes a cornerstone of national power and global cooperation.