Multipolar governance permits a number of important states to have significantly more economic and political clout than others, but among them there is hardly any hierarchy. The new energy challenge, with its intricate socio-economic, ecological and international-political considerations, is a multi-dimensional, multi-level and multi-actor issue that requires a minimum of 'central' political steering, because neither the invisible hand of the market, nor unilateral or bilateral power politics are capable to bring about sustainable solutions. Global Energy Governance in a Multipolar World investigates the relationship between the emergence of a multipolar world order and the enormous challenges of global energy governance that the world is facing in the 21st century. It reflects on fundamental questions such as how the main consuming countries can avoid conflict over scarce resources, how they will cooperate to bring about open energy markets, energy conservation and efficiency, and how they can promote renewable energy sources.

This book offers a unique assessment of the G20's development agenda and its potential to be an impactful actor in the global architecture of development cooperation. Representing two-thirds of the world population, 85 percent of economic output, 75 percent of global trade, and 80 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, the G20 embodies an overwhelming concentration of economic and political power, enhanced through regular meetings of heads of state and government. This position allows it the opportunity to play a significant role in ongoing multilateral policy processes, but also to further undermine universal development governance at the UN, already challenged by the Bretton Woods institutions, OECD and G8. Providing context and a history of the G20's involvement in development governance, expert international contributors consider the outcome of major conferences, the perspectives of China, India, and the EU, the shift away from positions held by Western countries and the role of civil society. They also offer in-depth analysis of the G20's engagement with issues concerning infrastructure, food and agriculture, taxation, macro-economic policy and the Sustainable Development Goals. The book will be of interest to scholars and students of development, international organisations and global governance.