Thursday 7 June 2018, Oslo
Eirik Wærness, Chief Economist (Presentation in Norwegian)
Målfrid Braut-Hegghammer
Espen Barth Eide
Silje Ask Lundberg
Panel debate
The transition to a more sustainable energy system is too slow. A sustainable development path, consistent with the 2-degree target, does not allow for further delays in policy, industry and consumer action to reduce emissions.
There is an agreement that a growing population and economic growth will increase the demand for goods, activities, and services that require energy. The challenge is to meet this growing demand while contributing to increased sustainability. This requires substantial improvements in energy efficiency and a rapid change in the global energy mix.
“There is an energy transition going on, but the speed and scope remains uncertain. We publish the Energy Perspectives report to engage, to provide insight, to discuss, to challenge, and to be challenged,” says Equinor’s Chief Economist Eirik Wærness.
Our report is being published for the eighth consecutive year. It presents three scenarios; Reform, Renewal and Rivalry, that span a vast outcome space for all important characteristics of the global energy system, such as macroeconomic development, global energy demand, GHG emissions, energy mix and oil and gas markets towards 2050.
The report shows how policy, technology and market conditions can move development in different directions, both desired and undesired.
Energy Perspectives is an independent report prepared by Equinor analysts, describing three possible development paths for the world economy, international energy markets and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. This year's report adjusts for last year's events in the climate and energy fields, as well as technology development in various areas, both in renewable energy and demand in the energy markets.
The report is based on models and frameworks that the company uses in connection with long-term analyses of the energy markets and is intended to foster greater understanding of uncertainty in the long term and how different forces can influence this uncertainty.
Energy Perspectives has become an important reference in international talks on energy and climate-change issues. Each year the team behind the report is invited to international meetings and conferences to present their perspectives.
The report addresses key issues related to developments in the global energy market. How much will energy demand increase in the years to come? Is the world undergoing an energy transformation? Where is there a need for new investment to ensure energy access? What must be done to reach the climate targets set in the Paris agreement in 2015? Is the world on the right track? And how is global energy supply and greenhouse gas emissions affected by geopolitics?