Almost half of world energy leaders claim a “green technology arms race” will inhibit renewables development

The World Energy Council has called on industry leaders to “humanise” energy to ensure fair global distribution.

According to the World Energy Council’s (WEC) World Energy Pulse survey, 46% of leaders and decision-makers in the energy sector believe national self-interest or a “green technology arms race” is the largest obstacle for the energy transition.

Despite this, 84% of those surveyed accept that “energy interdependence” is now a global reality. More than 700 individuals were polled by the WEC about their opinions on the energy transition. A majority of those interviewed were in Europe (52%), followed by South America with 23%.

Around 64% of those surveyed believe that the current pace of renewable technology adoption is too slow if the targets set out under the Paris Climate Agreement are to be met. This is nearly double the number that agreed with the statement when the WEC conducted the same survey last year.

The WEC found that 59% of those surveyed believe that energy independence is necessary to ensure national energy security targets.

Angela Wilkinson, secretary-general and CEO at the WEC, claims that the results demonstrate the way in which “the world energy system is no longer fit for purpose. Throwing more money and technology at complex system change is not enough to ensure faster or fairer energy transitions. Inclusive implementation is essential.”

The WEC calls on leaders to “humanise energy”, which Wilkinson claims is “key to making energy transitions happen in a new context of low trust, increasing fragmentation”.

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