Testimony of Dr. Jonathan Pershing before the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe

This document is a testimony provided by Dr. Jonathan Pershing, Director of the Climate, Energy and Pollution Program at the World Resources Institute, to the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe. Pershing argues for an integrated policy framework that addresses the intersection of energy security and climate change, asserting that while some energy solutions create trade-offs, others—such as energy efficiency and renewables—provide mutual benefits for both security and the environment.

• WRI and the Center for Strategic and International Studies developed a framework for evaluating energy and climate policies based on effectiveness and political feasibility. Effectiveness requires policies to be global and integrated, adaptable to various future scenarios, and based on current technology rather than relying solely on future breakthroughs. Political feasibility requires policies to consider multiple time horizons, account for the costs of action versus inaction, integrate with other political priorities, and accommodate the development needs of poorer nations.
• Climate change is identified as a driver of broader security risks beyond energy, specifically through increased population migration and conflict over natural resources like water. In Kenya, existing pressures such as overgrazing and poverty are expected to be worsened by the increased frequency and severity of floods and droughts, potentially leading to migrations from Africa and Asia into the OSCE region and exacerbating regional tensions.
• There are significant trade-offs between energy security and climate goals depending on the fuel source. While energy efficiency and renewables like wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower benefit both, other options do not. For example, switching from coal to natural gas reduces greenhouse gas emissions but can decrease energy security for countries reliant on imports; Europe, Italy, and Germany are specifically noted as being at risk due to their heavy reliance on Russian natural gas.
• Nuclear power presents a conflict between climate and security goals: while it is emission-free, it does not necessarily improve energy security because uranium reserves are unevenly distributed, requiring imports for many countries. Additionally, security risks associated with nuclear proliferation and the disposal of depleted uranium can make it less secure than fossil-based power in some regions.
• Energy intensity varies significantly across OSCE countries, with those in the former Soviet Union being more GHG intensive than the US, Canada, and Western Europe. This is attributed to inadequate institutions, a lack of market pricing for energy, and older, less efficient equipment. Pershing suggests that promoting energy efficiency and capacity building in these countries would improve both emissions and global commercial competitiveness.
• For the United States, Pershing recommends several legislative actions: adopting cap-and-trade legislation (such as S.2191, The Climate Security Act of 2007) to create a price signal and generate revenue for energy diversification; providing a long-term extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind power to reduce installed costs by 5-15%; and integrating climate considerations into transportation legislation to reduce vehicle miles traveled and promote plug-in hybrids.
• Current US biofuels policies, particularly those favoring corn-based ethanol, may be counter-productive. Evidence suggests corn-based biofuels can have higher GHG emissions than gasoline due to land-use changes and can lead to decreases in available food grains. Pershing recommends shifting incentives toward cellulosic ethanol and basing support on actual life-cycle carbon emission reductions.

APA

Pershing, J. (n.d.). Testimony of Dr. Jonathan Pershing before the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/publications/testimony-dr-jonathan-pershing-commission-security-cooperation-europe

Chicago

Pershing, Jonathan. Testimony of Dr. Jonathan Pershing before the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe. World Resources Institute, n.d. https://www.wri.org/publications/testimony-dr-jonathan-pershing-commission-security-cooperation-europe.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Pershing |first1=Jonathan |title=Testimony of Dr. Jonathan Pershing before the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe |publisher=World Resources Institute |url=https://www.wri.org/publications/testimony-dr-jonathan-pershing-commission-security-cooperation-europe |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{pershingndtestimony, author = {Pershing, Jonathan}, title = {{Testimony of Dr. Jonathan Pershing before the Commission on Security \& Cooperation in Europe}}, publisher = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/publications/testimony-dr-jonathan-pershing-commission-security-cooperation-europe}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }