The Middle East will soon lead the world in developing sustainable energy, says an author of World Energy Council/Oliver Wyman report

DOHA, Qatar--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Middle East may soon overtake other nations and become the global role model in developing sustainable energy, according to an author of a new report released today by the World Energy Council and Oliver Wyman at the COP 18 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar. The World Energy Trilemma is the struggle that governments face in providing energy that is secure, affordable, and environmentally-sound.

“The Middle East is well-positioned to take the lead in the global sustainable energy race that is about to reshape the world’s energy landscape”

A World Energy Council/Oliver Wyman Energy Sustainability Index within the report that ranks 92 countries' energy systems shows that the energy systems of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait lag behind nearly half of those in the rest of the world in terms of their ability to provide sustainable energy.

But it also demonstrates why the Middle East may soon emerge the world’s leader in this area: The region is adopting many of the practical and interconnected steps required to achieve sustainable energy faster than many other nations can.

"The Middle East is well-positioned to take the lead in the global sustainable energy race that is about to reshape the world’s energy landscape,” says Oliver Wyman partner and a report author Mark Robson. "Most governments in the Middle East have set out aggressive plans for reaching sustainable energy goals over the next eight to 18 years and they have the political leadership and financial resources to achieve them."

Most of the region's countries improved their ability to provide sustainable energy last year as some of their new initiatives began to take hold, according to figures released in the report.

To view the third edition of the World Energy Trilemma report, the World Energy Council/Oliver Wyman Energy Sustainability Index, and videos visit www.oliverwyman.com/world-energy-2012.htm.

About Oliver Wyman

Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting. With offices in 50+ cities across 25 countries, Oliver Wyman combines deep industry knowledge with specialized expertise in strategy, operations, risk management, and organization transformation. The firm’s 3,000 professionals help clients optimize their business, improve their operations and risk profile, and accelerate their organizational performance to seize the most attractive opportunities.

The firm has been a project partner with the World Energy Council in developing an annual assessment of country energy policies since 2010.

Oliver Wyman is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC). For more information, please contact Elisabeth Egan at [e-mail] or [phone]. Details can also be found at www.oliverwyman.com. Follow Oliver Wyman on Twitter @OliverWyman.

About the World Energy Council

The World Energy Council (WEC) is the principal impartial network of leaders and practitioners promoting an affordable, stable and environmentally sensitive energy system for the greatest benefit of all. Formed in 1923, WEC is the UN-accredited global energy body, representing the entire energy spectrum, with more than 3000 member organisations located in over 90 countries and drawn from governments, private and state corporations, academia, NGOs and energy related stakeholders. WEC informs global, regional and national energy strategies by hosting high-level events, publishing authoritative studies, and working through its extensive member network to facilitate the world's energy policy dialogue. For more information, visit: www.worldenergy.org