Application of Non-Traditional Security Perspective on the Renewable Energy Source Security Policies

Since September 11, 2001, Non-Traditional Security issues have become increasingly common in almost all parts of society, both domestically and internationally: in the policy and the research agendas of governments, in non-governmental organisations, in academic circles, as well as in the general public and the media. Traditionally, security has been defined in geo-political terms and confined to relationships among nation-states, dealing with issues such as deterrence, the balance of power, and military strategy. However, the traditional understanding of security has increasingly been questioned in terms of how security (and non-security) should be explained, and by what kind of approach. We see an increasing number of NTS threats, nationally and internationally, arising from very different fields, such as financial turmoil, internet hacking, ecological degeneration, drug-trafficking, nuclear proliferation, new terrorism and even SARS, all of which have never before in the course of human history had such serious impact on any individual country or international community. What makes it worse is that governments and research agencies do not know how to define these threats, let alone cope with them. In India, for instance, academics and government bureaus are both interested in and puzzled by NTS issues, and they are beginning to put more natural and human resources into dealing with them (Ahn & Graczky, 2012). Yet, they find it very difficult to priorities in solving or easing NTS threats given so many different needs, and the relatively limited resources that are readily available.

The Concept of National Security has evolved since the end of the Cold War and the rise of globalisation. Although the concept of national security is often invoked by national leaders across the globe, the definition of national security is seriously debated by various scholars, national leaders and members of civil society. Consequently, the concept of national security is no longer strictly confined to traditional state centric security concerns predominantly focused on external threats but now embraces alternative approaches that aim to address fundamental challenges to human security in a given state. Shifting global realities have given rise to what is currently defined as ‗Non-Traditional Security‘; such a term aims to encompass various threats that obstruct the security and livelihoods of citizens. While citizens and governments alike face a myriad of challenges to ensure national security, Non-Traditional Security enables participants to view national security beyond conflict and war. Instead, as Professor Mely Caballero-Anthony, secretary general of the recently established Consortium on Non-Traditional Security Studies in Asia stated ―These newly emerging threats are referred to as non-traditional security (NTS) threats, and they are defined as challenges to the survival and wellbeing of peoples and states that arise primarily out of non-military sources‖ India, since the market based reforms introduced in the early 90s, has made awe inspiring economic progress. Such strides have earned India acknowledgment as a vibrant economic, regional and aspiring global power.

inclusive development for all citizens and possibly derail development gains that have thus far been achieved in India (Coustasse et. al., 2005). Energy Security: India finds itself facing increasing energy demand while battling to secure fuel imports from a seemingly increasingly volatile West Asian region. Therefore, the choices that lies ahead for India given the current need for energy seem a few and difficult to make (Liming, 2008). Thus it is apparent that India needs to employ a range of tools in order to effectively and efficiently address is growing energy concerns. Renewable energy is often touted as the most attractive option to address India‘s energy demands. As such, according to numerous experts, India would be able to meets its energy demands through a combination of energy sources that includes solar and wind power and hydroelectric power. The Central Government has indeed heeded to calls for greater investment into renewable to curb current energy demands, such investments has led to a range of programmes which have had some success but also impeded by lack of effective implementation and consequently limited impact. Additionally, critics claim the lack of success of some initiatives is due to the Central Government lack of an overarching all-encompassing policy and reliance on an array of unproductive policies and business models. In a report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that details success stories of renewable energies in developing countries, China and Tunisia were deemed as success stories in address the energy needs. In the case of China, according to statistics it attracts the most investment in its renewable energy sector and recently becoming a global force in renewable energy in its own right (Ozceylan et. al., 2008). Furthermore, the country ranked in the top five countries in 'investment in new capacity' that includes categories of; new investment capacity, wind power, solar power, ethanol and biodiesel production and existing capacity which includes categories of; renewable power, wind power , biomass, geothermal power and solar/water heat. India, a country that has mass potential in expanding its renewable power sector performed dismally in the ranking and successes only visible in investing in existing renewable capacity and wind power (Piñeiro et. al., 2010). Both countries acknowledge renewable energy as national priorities and often cooperate on renewable energy technologies, they do follow different strategies. China's renewable energy strategy is informed and guided by its Renewable Energy Law passed in 2005. Such a law provides a framework which rests on a national fund that incentivizes renewable energy investment and preferential credit for energy sector projects. Though the Ministry of New energy, proposed incentives thus far have been dismissed as lacking in effectiveness. As much as access to energy, especially in rural areas in both China and India, China in this regard leads the way. MNRE in India introduced several programmes targeting remote areas that rested upon solar power and the funding agency IREDA to finance renewable energy projects. Whereas in China, developed a financial incentive system for rural renewable energy, overseen by the Ministry of Science and Technology and complemented by project demonstration and improvement of skill capacity programmes. Obviously, China therefore applies incentives in order to encourage investment in renewable energy projects whilst enhancing development of the sector through financial and technical means and further complementing with skill capacity training in the sector (Satapathy et. al., 2011). In Tunisia, the government has introduced reforms that aim to target dependency on oil and gas whilst promoting renewable energy. The ―energy conservation system‖ law was passed in 2005, and relies on the National Fund for Energy Management to encourage renewable energy investment and enhance skills capacity in the sector. Both mechanisms introduced by the Tunisian government allows for an increase and improvement for renewable energy sources to target energy efficiency goals set by the government. Thus the law passed by the Tunisian government thus far has succeeded in assisting the country in reducing fuel import dependency erstwhile increasing renewable energy capacity. The case of small successes achieved by China and Tunisia in the renewable energy sector illustrates some valuable lessons for India's own energy security needs. Most notably an effective legislative framework that informs specific targets for the renewable energy sector, while complemented by a financial mechanism in case of both China and Tunisia a national fund for the renewable sector which allocates tax preferences for the renewable energy sector and provides financial incentives for investing in the sector. The Central Government and some enterprises dominate the renewable energy sector in India. Japan, has initiated an innovative mechanism led by local residents and small local enterprises creating ‗micro power‘ companies. Due to the ongoing crisis at Japan‘s Fukushima nuclear power plant, local communities in conjunction with local city administration invest and start ‗micro power‘ companies that use renewable energy technology to meet local energy demands (Sukhdev et. al., 2010). The initiative funds renewable energy sources in the community such as solar power by offering residents the opportunity to purchase shares to construct renewable energy sources and local firms are responsible for operating, managing and supplying and training employees of the 'micro power' companies. City officials assisted in expediting this

providing incentives for both residents and local companies to invest in renewable energy. As some experts in renewable energy governance claim, India needs to decentralize the distribution of energy, therefore if a similar initiative like the 'micro power' companies were to take place in India it would mean an expansion of the renewable energy sector which could result in local community ownership, easing of pressure on the Central Government to deliver energy, opportunities for small local businesses, and increase of employment opportunities beyond the metropolises of India. Alternative opinions on how India can best pursue energy security are wide and across the spectrum. One of the emerging recommendations is India needs to diversify its fuel imports and look to various regions, this is the strategy currently pursued by China in conjunction with other strategies to meet its energy demands. A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed that the crux of India's current energy predicament is ―Increasing import dependency exposes India to greater geopolitical risks, fluctuating world market prices and intensifying international competition. Indian energy policy cannot be set in isolation and needs to account for rising global interdependence, while simultaneously communicated appropriately to the public and reflected in policy debates.‖ This region is gradually entering what some analysts call a 'Golden Age' of natural gas firmly led by Mozambique which has receives the great fortune of the world's biggest gas discovery in a decade. Besides Mozambique, Southern African countries including Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and allegedly Malawi are expected to defy expectations with impeding natural gas and oil outputs. Several important economies and oil multinationals have taken notice, especially in Mozambique where Anadarko (US), Mitsui E&P (Japan), SINOPEC (China) and Kogas (South Korea) have invested in gas fields. India's interests are represented by BPRI Ventures and ONGC Videsh& Oil India. In an article published in June in economic section, analysts believed acquisition of gas field by these Indian enterprises was a reason to cheer given India's geographical proximity to the region and naval presence in the area. However, as the article continues in order to full benefit from the diversification of gas imports, India needs to improve its economic diplomacy, utilise its leverage, increase influence and learn from past experiences in order to fully benefit what could be a successful strategy in diversifying gas imports. Therefore, India should consider initiating innovative economic diplomatic tools that induce influence and provide incentives not only for gas producing countries in the region given that India is not the only interested party but also for public and private sector enterprises in India invested in securing India‘s energy security. Thus, India‘s energy security both internally and externally needs efficient reforms, institutional effective in addressing current energy concerns and future energy demands.

In Essence Non-Traditional Security is an ecology comprising of several facets that operates in a rapidly changing world. All facets of this ecology, whether it be food security or water challenges are all intrinsically interconnected as they do not occur in isolation and deficits in one facet manifest themselves in another. India is not alone, in facing challenges that fall under Non-Traditional Security and as evidence demonstrates some countries are making immense progress in tackling Non-Traditional Security challenges. Thus in an increasingly interconnected world, success in curbing challenges that present a threat to human security and dignity, there are valuable lessons to be learnt. Although India has produced many interventions and policies, the gaps in current approaches may perhaps be diminished from learning and possibly implementing approaches that have proved to be successful in other developing countries and developed nations. Evidently successful interventions that have been introduced to curb Non-Traditional security concerns, share certain features. Features include, responsive government institutions, innovative and effective institutional mechanisms, coherent policies based on achievable goals, incremental reforms, and a variety of incentives, technological innovations, effective monitoring and continuous capacity building. Of course, some policies and reforms may be perceived as too lofty to achieve or even strive towards. However given the gallant efforts that India has made in its development trajectory, it is possible to enhance gains made in human development and achieve the vision of inclusive development in India. Thus to conclude, the onus is on all responsible stakeholders of India‘s development to learn from successful interventions and to apply concentrated effort for their success to be actualized in India.

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Ph.D. Research Student, MUIT, Lucknow E-Mail – slghodake@yahoo.com