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Ignoring Liquid Gold? - How the EU frames issues of water security vis-à-vis energy and food security

Krönert, Gerrit LU (2025) STVM23 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This study employs a thematic analysis to uncover differences in securitisation of energy, food and water by two of the EU’s executive institutions: The Commission and the European Council. A historically neglected field, water has gained importance as a strategic resource through the deepening of the global climate crisis. Furthermore, water is weaponised by the Kremlin in its hybrid warfare against Europe, further cementing its status as a vital resource for the future. Findings show that themes of security were only present within the fields of energy and food, with the latter field becoming securitised after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Water has escaped securitisation, but perhaps not remained entirely unsecuritised, as usage of... (More)
This study employs a thematic analysis to uncover differences in securitisation of energy, food and water by two of the EU’s executive institutions: The Commission and the European Council. A historically neglected field, water has gained importance as a strategic resource through the deepening of the global climate crisis. Furthermore, water is weaponised by the Kremlin in its hybrid warfare against Europe, further cementing its status as a vital resource for the future. Findings show that themes of security were only present within the fields of energy and food, with the latter field becoming securitised after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Water has escaped securitisation, but perhaps not remained entirely unsecuritised, as usage of the term ‘resilience’ rose post-invasion. Overall, results indicate that not securitising water by refusing to use the term ‘water security’ has been a deliberate move by the EU. Furthermore, potential inadequacies in applying the Copenhagen School framework on issues of ‘resilience’ are discussed. (Less)
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author
Krönert, Gerrit LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVM23 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
energy security, food security, water security, resilience, securitisation theory, thematic analysis
language
English
id
9189781
date added to LUP
2025-08-08 11:38:43
date last changed
2025-08-08 11:38:43
@misc{9189781,
  abstract     = {{This study employs a thematic analysis to uncover differences in securitisation of energy, food and water by two of the EU’s executive institutions: The Commission and the European Council. A historically neglected field, water has gained importance as a strategic resource through the deepening of the global climate crisis. Furthermore, water is weaponised by the Kremlin in its hybrid warfare against Europe, further cementing its status as a vital resource for the future. Findings show that themes of security were only present within the fields of energy and food, with the latter field becoming securitised after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Water has escaped securitisation, but perhaps not remained entirely unsecuritised, as usage of the term ‘resilience’ rose post-invasion. Overall, results indicate that not securitising water by refusing to use the term ‘water security’ has been a deliberate move by the EU. Furthermore, potential inadequacies in applying the Copenhagen School framework on issues of ‘resilience’ are discussed.}},
  author       = {{Krönert, Gerrit}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Ignoring Liquid Gold? - How the EU frames issues of water security vis-à-vis energy and food security}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}