Energy
Introduction
The energy related activities of the World Economic Forum focus on creating new insights, and a platform for stakeholders to act upon some of the most important energy issues. Current focus issues include:
- New Energy Architecture - Many countries struggle to upgrade their energy systems to fully support current and future requirements of energy security and access, sustainability and economic growth. This work area looks into pathways to creating a more effective transition towards a new energy architecture.
- Energy for Society is a global initiative that aims to accelerate continuous improvement in the development of energy systems through the personal commitment of energy community leaders representing the oil and gas, utilities and technology, and renewable energy sectors.
- 20+ Signatories representing all sectors and operating in all regions around the world
- 26 case studies showing local, national and global best practices in implementing the Energy for Society Set of Principles
- Energy for economic growth - As the world struggles to emerge from a global recession and financial crisis, countries are looking for solutions to improve domestic economic performance and put people back to work. The energy sector constitutes a relatively modest share of GDP in most countries, except for those in which oil and gas income loom large. However, the energy sector’s impact on the economy is greater than the sum of its parts. Most importantly, almost none of the economy’s goods and services could be provided without it. Thus, stable and reasonable energy prices are needed to reignite, sustain and expand economic growth. The World Economic Forum is works in partnership with IHS CERA on this topic.
Related Groups:
- Energy: Oil & Gas
- Energy: Renewable Energy Shapers
- Energy: Utilities & Technology
- Global Agenda Council on Energy Security
Energy Governors Meeting 2013
The global energy map is changing, with potentially far-reaching consequences for energy markets and trade. It is being redrawn by the resurgence of oil and gas production in the United States and Iraq, the retreat from nuclear power in some countries following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, and fresh policy measures in several major energy-consuming countries aimed at improving energy efficiency.
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April 23, 2013
How can we transform the energy sector?
There are compelling reasons to improve our energy system – to make it more accessible, affordable and reliable, and to reduce its environmental impact. But energy change is often sluggish, especially as investing in energy infrastructure is expensive. A single power plant is a multi-billion dollar investment with a lifetime of decades.
Governments, citizens, private industry and NGOs all have different interests when it comes to energy. And since the consumer cannot distinguish among products from different sources, suppliers see incumbency as a considerable advantage.
Many cite the...
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March 6, 2013
Paving the way for electric cars
Levi Tillemann addresses the challenges facing the electric car
Electric cars are buzzing. Twice in two years, the Chevy Volt has edged out the Porsche 911 for highest customer satisfaction in Consumer Reports magazine. In 2011, the all-electric Nissan LEAF was named European Car of the Year. In 2012, the Tesla Model S was awarded Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year”. Sales are rising, too.
All this portends a fundamental shift in the energy landscape. After a century, transportation is decoupling from its complete reliance on oil.
Yet there are some major hurdles. All-electric cars, with no...
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March 5, 2013
Sustainable solutions from the sea?
George Guo-Qiang Chen looks to the planet’s oceans to provide the resources to produce and process the large quantities of biomass that will be needed for a sustainable future
Industrial applications of biotechnology – the new “Bioeconomy” – hold out the promise of being able to produce biofuels and renewable chemicals and provide an alternative for society’s chronic addiction to goods that are produced using the finite supplies of petroleum and fossil fuel feedstocks. “Biorefining” is based on using biomass as its basic feedstock. Biomass is a renewable resource produced by agriculture....
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February 27, 2013
Financial Regulation – Biased against Clean Energy and Green Infrastructure?
Much has been written about the policies required to make clean energy attractive for investors. However, in many cases, even when supportive policies are in place, results have been mixed, with limited uptake unless risk adjusted returns are extremely – some would say overly – generous. This discussion paper identifies a number of areas in which the regulation of investment itself, rather than policy relating to underlying assets, companies or technologies may be holding back the flow of investment.
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February 19, 2013
Energy Vision 2013 Energy transitions: Past and Future
Energy undergirds civilization and has powered the sweeping economic changes that have transformed the world over the last two and a half centuries. But just as the economy has changed, so has the energy mix that fuels it. The development of the modern world has been a story of evolving new uses for energy and constantly growing energy demand. New forms of energy and new technology to harness that energy have been developed over time, shifting the energy balance and expanding the menu of energy sources.Today there is great focus on the next transition – on the expectation or the possibility...
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February 15, 2013
Planting the seeds of a bio economy
Feike Sijbesma and Steen Riisgaard discuss how agriculture will become central to the economyIn a bio-based economy, the agricultural and biotech sectors together will be able to provide the world with food and fuel, with both product streams enhancing each other instead of competing.World leaders are currently meeting at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos to discuss “Resilient Dynamism”. Both resilience and dynamism will be needed indeed if we are to build a new economy that provides the right solutions and technologies to ensure decent living standards for all, while...
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January 24, 2013
Wiring up the world
Brian A. Dames on an ambitious but achievable plan to bring modern energy services to the world.
An international initiative is underway to connect 500 million people in developing countries to modern energy services by 2025. That is a hugely ambitious – but entirely achievable – goal. It is also essential to realizing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), because, without access to energy, it will be almost impossible to reduce poverty and hunger, or improve education and health care.
After all, electricity powers not only industrial development, but social and economic...
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January 23, 2013
Fuelling Africa’s bright future
Graham Mackay, CEO of SABMiller, on the water, food and energy challenges that need to be addressed to ensure Africa’s future. He is participating in the Annual Meeting session, De-risking Africa.
There are currently 2 billion middle-class consumers in the world and the number is projected to reach 5 billion by 2030. Much of the increase will come from developing markets.
This growth is an exciting opportunity for the many people whose lives and livelihoods will improve; but it will place further demands on the world’s finite resources such as water, energy and agricultural inputs,...
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January 23, 2013
Ideas @Davos: Biofuels of the future
How do you feed the world, provide biofuels and remain sustainable? Kristala Prather shows us how microbes could provide an answer.
Microbes, small living systems which take sugars and turn them into fuel, could help to solve the world’s energy shortfall as well as cutting greenhouse gas emissions, explains Kristala Prather in the above video.
We have to be able to take ideas from a lab into the real world, she argues. Synthetic biology is used to custom design microbes that produce replacements for diesel and gasoline. If this work succeeds, we’ll drastically reduce the...
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January 23, 2013
How Russia could fuel Asia’s growth
Growing Asian demand presents a golden opportunity for Russia to diversify away from its primarily European export market, writes Nobuo Tanaka. Read the World Economic Forum’s report: Scenarios for the Russian Federation.Russia and Asia could be an energy partnership made in heaven. Two thirds of future energy demand growth will come from Asia, while Russia is now the biggest gas and oil producer in the world.China is growing so fast that it will certainly need to import oil and gas to feed its ravenous economy. This is despite its ambitious efforts in the fields of energy...
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January 22, 2013
Norway tops the table in the global energy race
Every country wants affordable, sustainable, and secure energy supplies; to live in a cleaner, greener planet where the lights also stay on.
But some countries are doing better than others at achieving it.
In the World Economic Forum’s The Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2013, compiled in collaboration with Accenture, the winners and losers in the global energy race are starkly laid out.
Norway and Sweden top the table of 105 countries when their scores for economic growth and development, environmental sustainability, and energy access and security are added up. They...
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December 17, 2012
How well is your country’s energy system performing?
In a series of blog posts around the recent launch of the World Economic Forum’s Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2013, Espen Mehlum, Associate Director of the World Economic Forum’s Energy Industries Team, explains how countries performed on the index.
What makes a country’s energy system perform well? This is a critical concern as nations around the world adapt to a new energy reality. Rising energy demand, costs and sustainability concerns are increasing the pressure for change, while technology developments and policy innovations are bringing about new opportunities. At...
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December 14, 2012
Power – How to price it right
In a series of blog posts leading up to the World Economic Forum’s Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2013 report launching on Tuesday 11th December 2012, Dr. Ishwar Hegde, Chief Economist at Suzlon Energy takes a look at the case of the world’s fifth largest electricity consumer: India.
India’s electricity sector is displaying a rather unusual dualism in its transition towards a new energy architecture. On the one hand, there has been stellar growth in the power sector since electricity reforms were launched in 2003. With 208 GW of current installed capacity, India has...
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December 13, 2012
Is Norway’s energy efficiency a matter of luck?
In a series of blog posts leading up to the launch of the World Economic Forum’s Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2013 on 11 December 2012, Arthur Hanna, Managing Director of Accenture’s Energy Industry Group, explains why Norway’s top ranking on the Index is more than just luck
Norway’s wealth of energy resources is part of the reason that it comes in first place on the World Economic Forum’s 2013 Global Energy Architecture Performance Index (EAPI).
The EAPI scores and ranks 105 countries globally on how well their energy system promotes economic growth and development,...
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December 13, 2012
Benchmarking a country’s energy performance
In a series of blog posts leading up to the launch of the World Economic Forum’s Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2013 on 11 December 2012, Jeroen van der Veer, a Board Member of Royal Dutch Shell, explains why benchmarking energy system performance is critical.
During my years with Shell, I really pushed benchmarking as it is a fundamental aspect of assessing business performance, especially as no business leader likes to come home with the message – “This year we have ranked below average (or worse) compared to peers”.
It is often a real source of pride to be within the...
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December 12, 2012
How better use of energy systems can reap benefits for society
In a series of blog posts leading up to the launch of the World Economic Forum’s Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2013 on 11 December 2012, Mr. Manpreet Anand, a Senior Policy Adviser at Chevron, discusses how energy is a key driver to reach today’s socioeconomic objectives
Energy is foundational for promoting growth in our economies and progress in our societies. The energy footprint and security of a country are also key factors in facilitating development and sustainability. When considering how to advance development in societies around the world, we rightly think of...
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December 11, 2012
A tool to help improve the global energy system
In a series of blog posts around the launch of the World Economic Forum’s Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2013 on 11 December 2012, Roberto Bocca, Senior Director and Head of Energy Industries at the World Economic Forum, explains the tool and how it can help countries to transition to a new energy architecture.
The World Economic Forum in collaboration with Accenture and a panel of independent experts have developed a pragmatic new tool – the Global Energy Architecture Performance Index (EAPI) 2013 launched today.
The EAPI scores and ranks 105 countries globally on...
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December 11, 2012
New Energy Architecture
The World Economic Forum in collaboration with Accenture and a panel of experts have developed an Energy Architecture Performance Index (EAPI). The EAPI benchmarks and ranks 105 countries globally on how well their energy system delivers economic growth and development, environmental sustainability and energy security and access. In a changing global energy landscape, countries are seeking ways to manage the transition to new energy systems that better deliver on these core goals. The EAPI offers a tool for decision makers to monitor the performance of their energy system and a basis for...
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November 30, 2012
The Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2013
The World Economic Forum in collaboration with Accenture and a panel of experts have developed an Energy Architecture Performance Index (EAPI). The EAPI benchmarks and ranks 105 countries globally on how well their energy system delivers economic growth and development, environmental sustainability and energy security and access. In a changing global energy landscape, countries are seeking ways to manage the transition to new energy systems that better deliver on these core goals. The EAPI offers a tool for decision makers to monitor the performance of their energy system and a basis for...
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November 29, 2012
Can we deliver on the promise of energy efficiency?
In a series of blog posts curated by the World Economic Forum’s Climate Change Initiatives, a number of leading voices will present their perspectives on climate change. Contributions are linked to the Forum’s Green Growth Action Alliance project and the Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Climate Change. In the following post, Bruno Berthon, Global Managing Director of Strategy & Sustainability at Accenture, looks at global preparedness for climate change.
While it might lack the glamour of clean-tech, energy efficiency presents a major and immediate opportunity to reduce emissions, power...
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November 27, 2012
White Paper on Energy 2050: What Does It Take for Reality to Meet Aspirations?
This white paper on energy 2050 raises 10 questions that must be addressed in the development of new energy architecture. Today there is a large disconnect between how people hope to live in 2050 and what the energy system is on track to deliver to help them get there. The white paper combines insights about potential visions for that future, with a focus on the types of solutions that are required to achieve change on the scale that is needed.The energy 2050 paper emphasises the need to address the most relevant issues – those relating to the enjoyment of energy by people living in non OECD...
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November 8, 2012
Changing the conversation on climate change
Next month, the curtain rises on the next round of international talks on global warming. Never before has diplomacy on this important topic been in a worse state. There are dozens of exciting new ideas for how governments could tackle the dangers of warming, but no idea and no government is clearly dominant. Outside of Europe, no major world economy is actually doing much to control its emissions. Even worse, most of the world’s biggest firms have lost faith that governments will do much in the near future and have scaled back investments on needed new low-emission technologies.Fixing this...
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October 18, 2012
White Paper on Energy Security and Global Warming
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. These last two decades of climate diplomacy have been filled with ambitious goals – such as limiting the increase in the average global surface temperature to 2ºC above pre-industrial levels – but not many bold actions.The last 20 years have also seen massive changes in the world’s energy system and markets, with large impacts on energy security. Yet, in reality, the policies needed to boost energy security are fragmented and often missing. Moreover, the supply of primary fuels and technologies...
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October 18, 2012
Energy for Economic Growth - Energy Vision Update 2012 - Chinese
As the world struggles to emerge from a global financial crisis and its fallout on the real economy, countries are looking for solutions to improve domestic economic performance and put people back to work. The "Energy for Economic Growth - Energy Vision Update 2012" highlights how the energy sector can make a major contribution to economic recovery and future growth.
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August 23, 2012
Public-Private Roundtables at the Third Clean Energy Ministerial
The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) was launched in 2010 as a high-level global forum through which to promote policies and programmes that advance clean energy technology, to share lessons learned and best practices and to encourage the transition to a global clean energy economy. The first CEM was held in Washington DC in July 2010 and included the launch of several new initiatives designed to improve energy efficiency, enhance clean energy supply and expand clean energy access. The second CEM, which was held in Abu Dhabi in April 2011, advanced progress on these initiatives. The third CEM,...
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August 6, 2012
New Energy Architecture: Enabling an effective transition - Chinese
The way energy is produced, distributed and consumed around the world is currently undergoing fundamental change of almost unprecedented proportion. Many countries struggle to upgrade their energy systems to fully support current and future requirements of energy security and access, sustainability and economic growth. This report, produced by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Accenture, looks into pathways to creating a more effective transition towards a New Energy Architecture. It reveals how countries are progressing by applying the newly developed Energy Architecture...
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July 31, 2012
Energy Governors Meeting 2012
The leaders of the the World Economic Forum's Energy community gathered in Davos to debate topical energy challenges . Participants included Chief Executives of major energy companies, Ministers and experts. The energy community also engaged in a number of discussions with related industries. Some of the issues on the agenda were: how to build trust in relations between the industry and society, the contribution of the sector to the economy, how to succeed in the transition towards a "new energy architecture" as well as unlocking business opportunities to provide energy access to people...
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July 30, 2012
Summary Report of the Sustainable Growth Summit
On 16 April 2012, the Sustainable Growth Summit at the World Economic Forum on Latin America brought together global and regional leaders to discuss the themes of economic growth, food security and sustainability. The Sustainable Growth Summit was a lead-in to the World Economic Forum on Latin America, highlighting the importance of sustainable growth on the regional agenda. The Summit highlighted the many public-private partnerships and innovative corporate initiatives that are advancing solutions in clean energy, low-carbon transport, water and agriculture, and green investment in the...
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July 13, 2012
A New Energy Architecture for Turkey
We have reached a turning point in the way we source, transform and consume energy. With a global population of over 7 billion, up from 6 billion in just 12 years, and energy consumption forecast to grow 40% by 2035, necessity dictates that we develop a new energy architecture.But what will this look like and how will we achieve it? The World Economic Forum’s report, New Energy Architecture: Enabling an Effective Transition, seeks to answer those questions.Bringing together views from global companies, government agencies and civil society organizations, the report highlights the challenges...
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June 5, 2012
Energy across borders
Is it possible to raise living standards and alleviate poverty without increasing energy consumption? That’s the burning question.The International Energy Agency argues that without a significant change in our energy use the world will experience global warming of up to 5°C within this century – temperatures the world has not seen in several million years and that will condemn future generations to a profoundly less liveable world.But Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth has always gone hand-in-hand with increased energy consumption, with all its attendant environmental impacts. Leaders aim...
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May 29, 2012
A new approach to energy poverty
In advance of the World Economic Forum on Africa, Sameer Hajee, CEO of Nuru Energy, discusses the need for a new approach to energy poverty.The world is finally starting to realize that if we don’t address energy poverty, we are going to fail in our efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).For those of you who are unaware, two billion people – a third of the world’s population – still do not have any access to modern sources of energy. Almost 700 million of these people are in Africa.At the Forum, I have the privilege of sitting on a dedicated panel – New Solutions:...
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May 7, 2012
5 ways to encourage a clean energy economy
Over the course of the past 30 years the energy industry has changed dramatically: oil and gas producers have moved into ever deeper water and unconventional plays. The utilities sector has been de-regulated and unbundled in much of the OECD world. Renewables have rapidly grown, following the emergence of climate change as a core issue on the international agenda.Ensuring the sustainable, secure and affordable supply of energy over the next 30 years is going to be much more challenging. Energy demand will increase by 40% by 2035, requiring $38 trillion of investment in energy supply...
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April 25, 2012
What we need to know about Canada’s energy riches
Making the most of Canada’s energy riches has been tough work of late: the US recently denied permits for the Keystone pipeline which is planned to bring oil from Alberta to the United States; there are multiple permitting processes in place to decide on pipelines that would bring oil from Alberta through British Columbia to the West Coast and on to Asia; and competing proposals are being developed for liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals which would enable the export of shale gas to Asia. These processes can divide us more than we would like.Canada is the 5th largest energy producer in the...
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April 19, 2012
New Energy Architecture: Enabling an effective transition
The way energy is produced, distributed and consumed around the world is currently undergoing fundamental change of almost unprecedented proportion. Many countries struggle to upgrade their energy systems to fully support current and future requirements of energy security and access, sustainability and economic growth. This report, produced by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Accenture, looks into pathways to creating a more effective transition towards a New Energy Architecture. It reveals how countries are progressing by applying the newly developed Energy Architecture...
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April 19, 2012
Why complexity is a good thing for meeting global energy goals
In a series of posts leading up to the World Economic Forum’s New Energy Architecture report launched on Monday 23rd April 2012, Executive Director of International Energy Agency, Maria van der Hoeven explains why a one-size-fits-all solution is not an option. Significant technology investments are needed to meet the long-term goal of sustainable, economical and secure energy. Rising population and prosperity trends will inevitably increase energy needs in the coming decades. Such investments will need to be carried out globally, requiring engagement worldwide; they...
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April 17, 2012
The truth about energy efficiency
In a series of posts leading up to the World Economic Forum’s New Energy Architecture report launched on Monday 23rd April 2012, Energy Industry Managing Director Arthur Hanna discusses the advantages of energy efficiency in a discouraged energy market. As highlighted by the World Economic Forum report Energy Efficiency: Accelerating the Agenda, improved energy efficiency can assist in sustaining economic growth without putting unsustainable burdens on the world’s energy supplies or the environment, thereby helping bring balance to the energy triangle. This can be...
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April 16, 2012
Is India dealing with its 95% increase in energy demand ?
In a series of posts leading up to the World Economic Forum’s New Energy Architecture report launched on Monday 23rd April 2012, Tejpreet Singh Chopra, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bharat Light and Power, talks about the challenges of meeting India’s spike in energy demand. Driving through the interiors of Punjab this November, I would find miles of harvested rice fields with the remaining rice straw being burnt to prepare the soil for the next harvest. In a country where roughly 300 million people do not have access to electricity, it made me wonder about the huge potential...
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April 13, 2012
Finding the right balance on natural gas
In a series of posts leading up to the World Economic Forum’s New Energy Architecture report launched on Monday 23rd April 2012, Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund, talks about the environmental challenges of unlocking the potential of shale gas. As newly abundant shale gas transforms the US energy economy – burgeoning from 2% of total US natural gas supply in 2001 to about 30% today – environmental concerns have overtaken the public debate. People across the US worry that shale gas cannot be tapped without polluting their drinking water, fouling their air and...
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April 11, 2012
Energy for Economic Growth
Daniel Yergin (IHS CERA) and Roberto Bocca (World Economic
Forum) present the Energy for Economic Growth Report and the role of energy in boosting
economic growth.
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March 7, 2012
How to fuel China’s growth
In a series of posts leading up to the World Economic Forum’s Energy for Economic Growth report launched on Wednesday 7th March 2012, Lin Boqiang, Director of China Center for Energy Economics Research, Xiamen University, China, shares his insight into ensuring access to affordable and sufficient energy as a prerequisite for future growth in China.If China wants to sustain its economic development and growth it needs to make sure that it has access to affordable energy from diversified sources without letting the environmental burden outweigh the benefits. Against the backdrop of a large...
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March 2, 2012
Fuelling South Korea’s transformation
In a series of posts leading up to the World Economic Forum’s Energy for Economic Growth report launched on Wednesday 7th March 2012, Han Seung-Soo, Former Prime Minister of South Korea, takes a closer look at the role energy has played in transforming South Korea into a high-tech industrialized economic power and describes the challenges of transforming into one of the world’s leading green-growth nations.Energy empowers growth. The meteoric rise of the Korean economy since the 1960s has transformed the nation into a hightech industrialized economic power that sits among the trillion dollar...
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March 1, 2012
Translating energy into lasting prosperity
In a series of posts leading up to the World Economic Forum’s Energy for Economic Growth report launched on Wednesday 7th March 2012, Khalid A. Al-Falih explains what energy-rich countries can do to translate their resources into broad economic development and growth.It is often said that petroleum energy is the lifeblood of modern civilization: the indisputable driver of the unprecedented development and prosperity the world has experienced over the past century. But how can that precious energy source translate effectively into economic growth and higher living standards in the...
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February 29, 2012
Why energy has remained stable during the Second Great Contraction
In a series of posts leading up to the World Economic Forum’s Energy for Economic Growth report launched on Wednesday 7th March 2012, Kenneth Rogoff talks about the impact of the Second Great Contraction on commodity prices.One of the stunning features of the post-financial crisis global slowdown has been the relative strength of commodity prices in general and oil prices in particular. Oil prices dipped to US$ 40 per barrel at the depths of the financial crisis, but this was still far above the US$ 20 per barrel level of early 2001. Since 2008, prices have more than doubled...
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February 28, 2012
Energy Industry Partnership Programme Session Summaries - Chinese
The Energy Summit was opened by Co-Chair Gao Jifan, who noted that in the coming years all countries would find their own unique and relative strengths, and new sources of energy. China is increasingly taking on the responsibilities appropriate for a large country. With 15% of energy supply from renewables and new restrictions on emissions, China is taking first steps. It shares the problems of other large countries in international climate talks, pollution mitigation and other international problems, but three, five or 10 years are not enough to solve these challenges.
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February 24, 2012
Energy Industry Partnership Programme Session Summaries
The Energy
Summit was opened by Co-Chair Gao Jifan, who noted that in the coming years all
countries would find their own unique and relative strengths, and new sources
of energy. China is
increasingly taking on the responsibilities appropriate for a large country.
With 15% of energy supply from renewables and new restrictions on emissions,
China is taking first steps. It shares the problems of other large countries in
international climate talks, pollution mitigation and other international problems,
but three, five or 10 years are not enough to solve these challenges.中文
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February 24, 2012
Energy for Economic Growth - Energy Vision Update 2012
As the world struggles to emerge from a global financial crisis and its fallout on the real economy, countries are looking for solutions to improve domestic economic performance and put people back to work. The "Energy for Economic Growth - Energy Vision Update 2012" highlights how the energy sector can make a major contribution to economic recovery and future growth.
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January 18, 2012
Energy Vision Update 2010: Towards a More Energy Efficient World - Chinese
The report explores the importance of energy efficiency to meet the world’s growing energy demands. Written in partnership with IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, the report argues that, of all the energy options available, efficiency can contribute the most energy “supply” while reducing costs and greenhouse gases and, at the same time, increasing energy security.1
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January 10, 2012
Energy Vision Update 2011: A New Era for Gas - Chinese
This report focuses on the revolutionary transformation experienced on the natural gas markets around the world, taking into account the changes on both the demand side (gas is used on bigger scale in heating, power generation and transportation) and supply side (LNG and unconventional gas). Through the lenses of three important regional gas markets: Asia, Europe and North America, the report comes at the unique point of this transition. With its exceptional structure combining research and perspectives of key decision makers, it proves its relevance in one of the most important debates on...
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October 12, 2011
Developing Renewable Energy Capacity – Addressing Regulatory and Infrastructure Challenges in Emerging Markets - Executive Summary
The World Economic Forum in collaboration with PwC is pleased to release "Developing Renewable Energy Capacity – Addressing Regulatory and Infrastructure Challenges in Emerging Markets". The renewable energy industry still faces obstacles to continued growth – particularly in new and emerging markets – despite a significant increase in global investment in the sector in recent years, mobilization of a stream of clean stimulus funding, and initialization of a number of multilateral initiatives to realize the potential of renewables. To provide key learning and understand regulatory...
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April 28, 2011
Developing Renewable Energy Capacity – Addressing Regulatory and Infrastructure Challenges in Emerging Markets
The World Economic Forum in collaboration with PwC is pleased to release "Developing Renewable Energy Capacity – Addressing Regulatory and Infrastructure Challenges in Emerging Markets". The renewable energy industry still faces obstacles to continued growth – particularly in new and emerging markets – despite a significant increase in global investment in the sector in recent years, mobilization of a stream of clean stimulus funding, and initialization of a number of multilateral initiatives to realize the potential of renewables. To provide key learning and understand regulatory and...
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April 27, 2011
Repowering Transport 2011
Global transportation and fossil fuels are inextricably linked. More than 60% of the 87 million barrels of oil consumed daily powers the world’s transportation system and liquid fossil fuels account for more than 96% of the sector’s energy supply. The Repowering Transport project provides a high-level platform for executives from the World Economic Forum’s Industry Partners in the mobility (automotive, aviation, and logistics), energy (oil and gas, utilities, alternatives), chemicals, and investors industries, and select Global Growth Companies.The project explores...
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April 6, 2011
Capturing opportunities in energy efficiency
ICT-enabled sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives are more than just a challenge: they also represent a great opportunity. A paradigm shift to a low-carbon economy by 2050 has the potential to write the next chapter of technological innovation. To realize this potential will require a third – this time a green – industrial revolution, which must harness the power of the market to deliver on this environmental imperative. Executed properly, the ICT-enabled part of this revolution could have a greater impact than any other sustainable development initiative in history. The...
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April 5, 2011
Energy Vision Update 2011: A New Era for Gas
This report focuses on the revolutionary transformation experienced on the natural gas markets around the world, taking into account the changes on both the demand side (gas is used on bigger scale in heating, power generation and transportation) and supply side (LNG and unconventional gas). Through the lenses of three important regional gas markets: Asia, Europe and North America, the report comes at the unique point of this transition. With its exceptional structure combining research and perspectives of key decision makers, it proves its relevance in one of the most important debates on...
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February 15, 2011
Scaling Up Low-Carbon Infrastructure Investments in Developing Countries
The Critical Mass Initiative was created in early 2010 to catalyse public-private collaborations to help pioneer a new wave of bankable and scalable transactions in low-carbon infrastructure, in developing and emerging economies. This is an unique platform convened by the World Economic Forum, International Finance Corporation and United Nations Foundation, in association with the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change and the Investor Network on Climate Risk. PwC was the Project Adviser to the World Economic Forum for this initiative. The Critical Mass Initiative adopted...
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January 27, 2011
Water Security: The Water-Energy-Food-Climate Nexus
Business leaders at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2008 set out a Call to Action on Water, to raise awareness and develop a better understanding of how water is linked to economic growth across a nexus of issues and to make clear the water security challenge we face if a business as usual approach to water management is maintained. This report captures where the debate is now and sets out the challenge we face if nothing is done to improve water management in the next two decades.
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January 24, 2011
Accelerating Successful Smart Grid Pilots
The Smart Grid project is driven by the Energy and ICT Industry Partner Communities and supported by theresources Partner, Accenture. In 2009, the Forum began researching the opportunities and challenges surrounding smart grid, publishing a report entitled Accelerating SmartGrid Investments. Building on this report and a series of workshops, including a private session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2010 in Davos, the Forum launched the second phase of the smart grid project in June 2010.In 2010, the Smart Grid project is bringing together key stakeholders across the smart grid...
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December 29, 2010
Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2010: Energy Industry Partnership Programme Session Summaries
Driving Growth Through Sustainability was a key theme of the Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin. Even the most optimistic scenarios predict that global energy demand will increase 30-40% in the next decade, and fossil fuels will continue to dominate the energy mix. How will this be achieved? Can an energy-intensive lifestyle be sustained if it is run on coal and oil. And how will energy policy in China, the world's largest energy producer and second largest consumer, affect global energy usage patterns?
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December 15, 2010
Energy Efficiency: Accelerating the Agenda
Download the Chinese versionThe World Economic Forum, in partnership with Accenture, is pleased to release Energy Efficiency: Accelerating the Agenda. The work builds on the January 2010 publication, A New Energy Vision: Towards a More Efficient World, developed in collaboration with IHS CERA, which explored the key drivers and barriers behind energy efficiency and seeks to address why energy efficiency has not been more successful inscaling.Energy efficiency is about doing more with what we have. It thus touches on every industry sector and has huge potential to contribute to energy savings...
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December 3, 2010
Open Forum: Energy Security and Economic Prosperity for the Region
Open Forum sessions are sessions on selected topics open to the general public of Dubai, co-organized by the World Economic Forum, the United Arab Emirates and the Government of Dubai.- How can the region safely engage on the path to nuclear energy?- How can the region invest in diversification from over-dependence on the revenues from fossil fuel production?- How can oil revenues best be invested to ensure long-term prosperity in the region?Key PointsWith the world population set to reach 9 billion by 2050, the diversification of energy sources will be vital for meeting increasing energy...
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November 29, 2010
Industry Risks
In an interdependent, fast-moving world, organizations are increasingly confronted by risks that are complex in nature and global in consequence. Such risks can be difficult to anticipate and respond to, even for the most seasoned business leaders.The World Economic Forum’s Risk Response Network provides leaders from the private and public sectors with an independent platform to map, monitor and mitigate global risks.Its annual Global Risks Report analyses the perceived impact and likelihood of 50 prevalent global risks over a ten year time horizon. The 50 global risks are divided into five...
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November 9, 2010
Accelerating Smart Grid Investments
Smart grid technology will bring together the advancements in the IT and Telecommunications sector – embedded sensing, computing and ubiquitous communications – to deliver a safer, more efficient and more resilient energy system. Not dissimilar to the Internet, this smart grid will act as a backbone infrastructure, enabling a suite of new business models, new energy management services and new energy tariff structures.
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November 5, 2010
Energy
The energy related activities of the World Economic Forum focus on creating new insights, and a platform for stakeholders to act upon some of the most important energy issues. Current focus issues include:New Energy Architecture - Many countries struggle to upgrade their energy systems to fully support current and future requirements of energy security and access, sustainability and economic growth. This work area looks into pathways to creating a more effective transition towards a new energy architecture.Energy for Society is a global initiative that aims to accelerate...
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November 5, 2010
Carbon neutral skies
The Carbon Neutral Skies project will provide a platform for stakeholders to identify economic measures to facilitate the implementation of carbon management strategies for the aviation industry that enable the industry to reach its carbon reduction goals and targets while minimizing competitive distortion among operators, countries and regions.
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November 5, 2010
Low-carbon energy infrastructure and land use
The Task Force on Low-Carbon Economic Prosperity, convened by the World Economic Forum at the invitation of Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters 2009, brings together over 80 global companies and over 40 experts and organizations.As governments of the major economies are gearing up to spend a combined amount of about US$ 3 trillion to stimulate growth, one thing is crystal clear: to ensure our future prosperity, we need a high-growth and low-carbon economy. To that end, a set of practical policies and incentives is urgently required to help remove the obstacles...
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November 5, 2010
Green Investing 2009: Towards a Clean Energy Infrastructure
The World Economic Forum is proud to release this report as part of our Green Investing project. The Green Investing project, which was mandated by the Forum’s Investors community at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2008, aims to explore ways in which the world’s leading investors can most effectively engage in the global effort to address climate change. The investment volumes required to avoid the catastrophic impact of climate change are substantial and success will largely depend on the successful mobilization of both the public and private sectors. This...
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November 3, 2010
Thirsty Energy: Water and Energy in the 21st Century
The relationship of water and energy is ageless and continues to evolve. Understanding how best to optimize the use of water and energy will be critical for business leaders and policy-makers. The energy industry cannot single-handedly solve the growing global water crisis. However, the risks for the industry are too great to stay out of the policy debate and to disregard water in strategic planning. The industry’s ability to contribute to a better understanding of the difficult choices ahead argues for joining the dialogue about this important relationship. The World Economic Forum is...
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October 24, 2010
Water
Local Water Crises ACT: Analysis Country-level Work and Engaging GovernmentsWater SecurityA note about the 2030 Water Resources Group Water security (whether it be the challenge of too little water over long periods of time, or too much water all at once) is one of the most tangible and fastest-growing social, political and economic challenges faced today. It is also a fast-unfolding environmental crisis. In every sector, the demand for water is expected to increase and analysis suggests that the world will face a 40% global shortfall between forecast demand and available...
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October 19, 2010
Sustainable Consumption
Each year until 2030, at least 150 million people will be entering the middle class. This will bring almost 60% of the world’s population into a middle income bracket. Over the same period energy demand is projected to increase by 40%, and water demand is expected to outstrip supply by 40%.Providing for the next generation of consumers in a sustainable manner presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Leaders can position themselves to succeed in this changing framework by redefining their strategies. New products, services and value chains can embrace "absolute sustainability".These...
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October 19, 2010
Climate Change
The World Economic Forum engages business, government and experts in partnerships to create the low-carbon economy. The World Economic Forum provides a neutral platform to develop universal carbon emissions reporting. Creating the Low-Carbon EconomyTo ensure our future prosperity, we need a high-growth and low-carbon economy. To that end, a set of practical policies and incentives is urgently required to help remove the obstacles to more low-carbon finance and technology. This will enable green recovery packages to have maximum impact. But this is not a task for governments alone. As the...
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October 19, 2010
Solving the Energy Puzzle
Solving the Energy PuzzleEnergy governance is highly fragmented globally and the scope of issues (efficiency, renewables, security and safety) is highly interlinked.How can policy-makers and industry leaders from developed and emerging economies collaborate further on this critical global issue?Key Points• Governments the world over face the challenges of meeting present and future energy demands for their citizens, improving sustainability, and connecting the 1.5 billion people who lack access to modern energy to the system.• The goal of energy governance is to deliver energy...
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September 15, 2010
Rebuild In Depth: Energy Governance
Rebuild In Depth: Energy GovernanceGlobal energy governance is highly fragmented, despite its emergence in the past decade as a critical concern for most economies due to the fact that economic development and population growth are expected to double energy demand over the next 30 years.Agenda:1) How might a more inclusive Global Energy Forum to improve international energy cooperation be designed and launched?2) How can global industry cooperation on energy efficiency and renewable energy be strengthened?3) How can the related challenge of water scarcity be better managed?Key Points• ...
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May 31, 2010
Managing the Water-Food-Energy Nexus
With continuing population growth, rising energy demand and the growing impact of climate change, the water-food-energy nexus is rapidly becoming a central concern for the world, and first and foremost for Africa.How can African governments and businesses work across boundaries to ensure that the water-food-energy bottleneck is turned into a sustainable growth and development opportunity?This session will be webcast live and is on the record. Key Points• Water is central to socio-economic development in Africa, yet the limited resources are being threatened by rapid population...
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May 6, 2010
Energy Vision Update 2010: Towards a More Energy Efficient World
The report explores the importance of energy efficiency to meet the world’s growing energy demands. Written in partnership with IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, the report argues that, of all the energy options available, efficiency can contribute the most energy “supply” while reducing costs and greenhouse gases and, at the same time, increasing energy security.
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March 11, 2010
Global Energy Outlook
Global Energy OutlookDespite the major decline in energy prices from their peak in 2008, energy security concerns have increased as major producing and consuming economies differ significantly on how to develop a more secure and stable energy system.How can producers and consumers develop mutually beneficial approaches to energy security?Key Points• The “Great Recession” of 2008-2009 has not fundamentally changed the global energy outlook, with energy demand expected to increase by 40% in the next 20 years with hydrocarbons providing up to 80%• Nor has the recession fundamentally...
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January 28, 2010
Rethinking Energy Security
Rethinking Energy SecurityShifts in supply and demand, as well as challenges posed by climate change, will exert ever greater pressure on both corporate and national energy planning over the next decades.What is needed to tackle the interlinked issues of energy security, economic growth and climate change?Key Points• Energy security is a question of affordability, acceptability and accessibility• Energy security needs to be linked to climate change as well as water and food security• Natural gas can serve as a bridge fuel from a high-carbon world to one based on renewables•...
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January 27, 2010
The Power Masala: Meeting India's Future Energy Needs
The Power Masala: Meeting India's Future Energy Needs NHK hosts this debate in partnership with the World Economic ForumTo sustain an economic growth rate of 8-9% over the next 25 years, India's installed power generation capacity alone will have to increase more than fivefold.With 400 million Indians still lacking electricity, how can India meet its future energy needs? And, what role will nuclear and alternative energy sources play?Key Points• India must balance the needs of development against the need to reduce greenhouse gases• Partnerships with other countries, including...
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November 9, 2009
The Promise of Smart Energy Use
Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2009The Promise of Smart Energy UseDalian, People’s Republic of China 10-12 SeptemberSmart buildings are predicted to cut energy use by 60%, while smart grids are estimated to increase energy efficiency by 15% or more.What are the most promising "smart" technologies, and what barriers to broader diffusion need to be overcome?Key Points• Smart energy systems and energy use promise to revolutionize the way electricity is transmitted and consumed, resulting in considerable energy and economic savings and lower carbon emissions.• The stakes are...
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September 12, 2009
Energy Alternatives for Emerging Economies
Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2009Energy Alternatives for Emerging EconomiesDalian, People’s Republic of China 10-12 SeptemberAround 70% of the power generation the world will need by 2030 has yet to be built, and coal is likely to remain a key part of the future mix. What energy alternatives present the greatest potential for low-carbon growth and employment in emerging economies?Key Points on the Topic• The developing world must be included in any serious discussion on the future of global energy use.• While diversification of energy sources is crucial, countries need to...
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September 11, 2009
Access to Energy: Empowering Africa's Development
• Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili • António Fernando • Christoph W. Frei • Rory StearModerated by • William Asiko Friday 12 June09.00-10.00Until recently, access to energy has been largely ignored as part of social investment in Africa, said Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, Vice-President, Africa Region, World Bank, Washington DC. However, this “missing link” is essential of other social investments such as in education or health to achieve their full potential in a continent where only 6% of rural people have access to electricity and where energy poverty or outages cost...
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June 12, 2009
Alternative Energy: A Game Change
Alternative Energy: A Game Change• Peter C. Brun • Lady Barbara Judge • Karim Kawar • Hartmut Reinke • Ennis Rimawi • Khaled Toukan • Samir Brikho • Michael Liebreich • Earl ShippModerated by • Michael Liebreich Saturday 16 May17.00-19.00This energetic and interactive studio session explored the pros and cons of alternative energy for the Middle East region, mixing investors, energy experts and civil society. Participants listened to experts in nuclear, wind, solar, water and bioenergy. One participant estimated that upwards of US$ 1 trillion is invested in energy every year, so the...
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May 16, 2009
Sustainable Bioenergy: Harnessing Opportunity
Sustainable Bioenergy: Harnessing Opportunity• Antonio Carlos Guimarães • Marcos Sawaya Jank• Marcelo Martins• Juan Quirós • Thomas ReardonModerated by • Donna J. Hrinak Thursday 16 April12.15-13.30How can we harness opportunities for bioenergy and what challenges will we confront along the way?The rapidly growing world population is creating a dramatic increase in demand for raw materials and food production. In 1960, one hectare produced enough food for two people; soon it will need to feed five. Agriculture must increase efficiency and productivity through technology, for...
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April 16, 2009
Solving the Energy Puzzle in Latin America
Solving the Energy Puzzle in Latin America• José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo • Raul Livas• Hernán Martínez Torres• Marcelo Bahia Odebrecht• Federico Restrepo PosadaFacilitated by • Jonathan Wheatley Wednesday 15 April12.45-14.15How can long-term investment in energy infrastructure be enhanced most efficiently, given the trends in the oil and gas industries, namely the global economic crisis, volatility in oil prices and the major oil discoveries in Brazil? How has the crisis affected investments in the region? What are the prospects for integration?Key insights• Public gas...
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April 15, 2009
Energy Security in the EU
• Bolat Akchulakov• Fatih Birol • Mehmet Hilmi Güler• Bruno Lescoeur• Pierre MorelModerated by • Michael J. Elliott Friday 31 October14.00-15.15Opening the session, Michael J. Elliott, Editor, Time International, Time Magazine, USA, requested panellists to consider the high level issues facing Europe’s ambition for energy security. The principal issues facing Europe are as follows:Role of Russia. “We cannot replace Russia … but should create competitors to Russia and within Russia,” declared Fatih Birol, Chief Economist, International Energy Agency, Paris. Birol strongly advocates...
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October 31, 2008
