Transitioning oil and gas producing regions: A comparative analysis of regional approaches in Denmark, New Zealand and Scotland
Date
2026
Authors
Kiernan, Sophie
Krawchenko, Tamara
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic)
Abstract
Key messages
• Durable and adaptive oil and gas transitions are most likely where there is broad political consensus, stable long‑term policy signals, and institutionalized public–private–academic partnerships, as exemplified by Denmark’s Esbjerg case.
• Abrupt, top‑down transition decisions that lack early regional engagement and a clearly articulated economic pathway—such as New Zealand’s initial offshore exploration ban—generate resistance and are vulnerable to policy reversal, undermining just transition objectives.
• Institutional innovation around just transition (e.g. commissions, funds, participatory planning), as seen in Scotland’s Aberdeen case, can strengthen governance capacity, but without policy durability and visible place‑based economic diversification, community skepticism and perceptions of instability persist.
Description
Keywords
Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic)
Citation
Kiernan, S., Krawchenko, T. (2026), Transitioning Oil and Gas Producing Regions: A Comparative Analysis of Regional Approaches in Denmark, New Zealand and Scotland, IESVic Energy Briefs, No. 14