World Energy Outlook 2022
Foreword
The International Energy Agency (IEA) presents the 2022 World Energy Outlook (WEO) in the context of a global energy crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This crisis has significant implications for energy supply and demand patterns, disrupting long-standing trading relationships and affecting millions of people worldwide.
- Impact on Access to Electricity: The combined effects of the pandemic and the energy crisis mean that 70 million people who recently gained access to electricity may lose that access, and 100 million people may revert to using unhealthy and unsafe methods of cooking.
- Clean Energy Transition: The world is not experiencing a clean energy crisis; rather, it is struggling with insufficient clean energy. Faster transitions would have mitigated the crisis and offer the best path forward.
- Climate Change and Energy Security: Despite the current crisis, the unprecedented government responses, such as the Inflation Reduction Act in the US and the Fit for 55 package in the EU, could lead to a cleaner and more secure energy system.
- Geopolitical Concerns: The energy and climate challenges pose risks of geopolitical fractures, particularly between advanced economies and emerging and developing economies. Unity and solidarity are crucial in responding to these crises.
Key Findings
- Energy Transitions: Successful energy transitions must be fair and inclusive, ensuring that the benefits of the new energy economy are widely shared.
- Modeling and Analysis: The WEO relies on the IEA's world-class energy modeling and unparalleled data to provide insights into the current crisis and guide future energy policies.
- Contributors: The WEO team, led by Laura Cozzi and Tim Gould, includes numerous experts from various fields, contributing to comprehensive and detailed analyses.
Acknowledgements
The WEO acknowledges the contributions of a large team of experts from the IEA, including those from the Directorate of Sustainability, Technology, and Outlooks (STO), as well as other directorates and offices. Key contributors include Laura Cozzi, Tim Gould, and various specialists from different sectors such as energy demand, supply, investment, climate, and more.
Overall, the WEO highlights the importance of coordinated action and fair energy transitions to address the current energy crisis and pave the way for a more secure and sustainable future.