Energy, Sanctions, and Commodities (ESC) takes the lead in formulating and implementing U.S. foreign policy relating to energy, sanctions, and commodities. Since imports supply roughly half of our oil needs, and the United States has only 2% of proven world oil reserves, the international aspects of energy with which this office deals are critical to U.S. national security.
The foreign policy-related sanctions that are an aspect of ESC's responsibility have been adopted to counter threats to national security posed by particular activities and countries. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the staff--together with other offices in the Department and a number of other agencies--has been actively involved in the effort to combat the financing of terrorism.
In addition, ESC has played a leading role in negotiating and implementing the Kimberley Process certification scheme, which seeks to combat the use of rough conflict diamonds to finance rebellions against legitimate governments and brutalities committed against civilians in Africa.
