The energy trilemma in the Baltic Sea Region: a methodology for an index assessing the discursive environment of energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability

Russia’s war in Ukraine brings new vulnerabilities to the Baltic Sea Region both in terms of regional security and energy supplies and distribution. So far, the positions of the states of the Baltic Sea Region and their weighting of the various dimensions of the energy trilemma (energy security, energy equity, environmental sustainability) have been insufficiently researched. Comparative discursive research still is a lacuna (Isoaho & Karhunmaa, 2019). Though indices for measuring the energy trilemma exist, there are no tools for quantitative measurement of the discursive side of it. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches for discourse analysis, and using Latvia and Germany as two case studies of the Baltic Sea Region, this research addresses the research gap by developing a methodology for an index assessing the discursive environment of energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability. Such an index will allow to identify quickly and in a comparative way how the energy related challenges are presented and contested in the public space. Knowledge about this is important in order to identify common ground for cooperation in energy transition across the Baltic Sea Region, as well as to reveal discrepancies in the perceptions of energy trilemma, which hinder smooth, fair and sustainable energy transition.

Project activity areas

1. Research for conceptualisation of the index in two project’s partner universities: Rīga Stradiņš University (Latvia) and University of Greifswald (Germany).
2. Discussion on the initial dimensions of the index in two scientific conferences:
   • Conference “Predictable Futures? On the Impact of Fear and Insecurity in the Baltic Sea Region” at the University of Greifswald, 7-8 June 2023;
   • 15th Conference on Baltic Studies in Europe “Turning Points: Values and Conflicting Futures in the Baltics” in Kaunas, Lithuania, 15-17 June 2023.
3. Presentation of the findings of the project in the workshops targeting students, fellow researchers and stakeholders.

This project of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office is supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic Germany.