Justification

The events since 11th September 2001 have accelerated the growing appreciation that the link between security and energy/natural resources is as strong now as ever before. In the past, research focused on security of supply and was driven mainly by economists. It is now clear that the subject is far more wide-ranging and that other disciplines such as political science and law should be included. New perspectives include:

• threats to security of energy supply posed by energy market liberalisation;

• the challenge of security of demand faced by exporters of energy, minerals and food;

• alternative approaches to enhancing security of supply in the energy and mineral sectors;

• the political security implications of alternative energy strategies;

• security of access or security of rights to water supply, mineral resources and energy networks;

• the security dimensions of environmental policy.