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Sustainability or security in the light of crisis?

Lundgren, David LU and Hermansson, Elias LU (2026) FKVA23 20252
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This paper analyses 56 speeches, statements and press releases made by the European
Commission 3 months before and 3 months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. By
utilising a framework that combines theories of sustainability and securitisation, as well as building on existing literature about the European Green Deal and REPowerEU, this essay examines how the invasion affected the balance between sustainable development and energy security in the European Commission’s discourse. The findings reveal that the prevalence of securitising narratives was relatively small prior to the invasion, but became the dominating form of discourse in its aftermath. Originally, normative arguments regarding a just green transition were taking... (More)
This paper analyses 56 speeches, statements and press releases made by the European
Commission 3 months before and 3 months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. By
utilising a framework that combines theories of sustainability and securitisation, as well as building on existing literature about the European Green Deal and REPowerEU, this essay examines how the invasion affected the balance between sustainable development and energy security in the European Commission’s discourse. The findings reveal that the prevalence of securitising narratives was relatively small prior to the invasion, but became the dominating form of discourse in its aftermath. Originally, normative arguments regarding a just green transition were taking discursive priority, with a bigger focus on biodiversity, future generations and social justice. Post-invasion discourses emphasised the continued importance of sustainability as a tool for ensuring long-term energy security, but was regarded less as goal in itself, with less normative commitment to the fundamental values of sustainable development. On the other hand, narratives following the invasion noted the urgency in diversifying away from Russian energy imports requiring a short-term increase in fossil-fuel imports from alternative partners. The paper ends by considering the implications of a securitising narrative on the green transition. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Lundgren, David LU and Hermansson, Elias LU
supervisor
organization
course
FKVA23 20252
year
type
L2 - 2nd term paper (old degree order)
subject
keywords
Discourse, securitisation, sustainability, sustainable development, energy security
language
English
id
9218311
date added to LUP
2026-04-10 14:45:21
date last changed
2026-04-10 14:45:21
@misc{9218311,
  abstract     = {{This paper analyses 56 speeches, statements and press releases made by the European 
Commission 3 months before and 3 months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. By 
utilising a framework that combines theories of sustainability and securitisation, as well as building on existing literature about the European Green Deal and REPowerEU, this essay examines how the invasion affected the balance between sustainable development and energy security in the European Commission’s discourse. The findings reveal that the prevalence of securitising narratives was relatively small prior to the invasion, but became the dominating form of discourse in its aftermath. Originally, normative arguments regarding a just green transition were taking discursive priority, with a bigger focus on biodiversity, future generations and social justice. Post-invasion discourses emphasised the continued importance of sustainability as a tool for ensuring long-term energy security, but was regarded less as goal in itself, with less normative commitment to the fundamental values of sustainable development. On the other hand, narratives following the invasion noted the urgency in diversifying away from Russian energy imports requiring a short-term increase in fossil-fuel imports from alternative partners. The paper ends by considering the implications of a securitising narrative on the green transition.}},
  author       = {{Lundgren, David and Hermansson, Elias}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Sustainability or security in the light of crisis?}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}