Discussion on Policy Frameworks and International Cooperation Mechanisms in the Global Energy Transition

Abstract

Major economies worldwide have entered a new stage of energy transition characterized by deeper structural adjustment, institutional innovation, and an intensified interplay among government regulation, market dynamics, and technological advancement. In this phase, clean-energy development is no longer limited to achieving reliability, cost reduction, and carbon-reduction targets; instead, it has evolved into a key component of national security strategies, industrial upgrading, and long-term competitiveness. Countries are redesigning regulatory frameworks, restructuring pricing mechanisms, and strengthening coordination across energy, manufacturing, and digital sectors to respond to growing uncertainties in global supply chains and shifting geopolitical landscapes. At the same time, technological breakthroughs-such as utility-scale battery storage, green hydrogen production, carbon capture and utilization (CCUS), and intelligent grid systems-are accelerating the diversification of global energy portfolios and reshaping the competitive order of emerging energy industries. These developments also place new demands on cross-border governance, as the increasing interconnection of regional infrastructure, the push for harmonized green-finance standards, and expanding clean-energy technology cooperation require more coherent international mechanisms. Nevertheless, geopolitical tensions, divergent subsidy policies, and fragmented regulatory systems continue to hinder the formation of a stable and mutually beneficial global cooperation environment. By comparing national policy frameworks, analyzing institutional coordination mechanisms, and evaluating the evolution of international cooperative models, this study identifies the main barriers and driving forces influencing global clean-energy transition. It further proposes strategic pathways to enhance cross-regional coordination, strengthen technological synergy, and promote more predictable and efficient global governance. The findings aim to provide theoretical insights and practical references for accelerating a coordinated, resilient, and effective global clean-energy transformation in the coming decades.