Energy systems are still far from being sustainable, warns World Energy Council report

DOHA, Qatar--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The World Energy Council’s (WEC) annual Energy Sustainability Index reveals that most of the over 90 countries assessed are still far from achieving fully sustainable energy systems.

“All countries face challenges in their transition towards more secure, environmentally friendly, and equitable energy systems. If we are to have any chance of delivering sustainable energy for all, we need to get real.”

Released at COP-18 in Doha, the Index is part of WEC’s 2012 World Energy Trilemma report, “Time to get real – the case for sustainable energy policy”, which ranks countries on their climate and energy performance. It finds that most countries still have not managed to balance the conflicting pressures of what WEC calls the ‘energy trilemma’.

The study has also interviewed WEC’s global industry leader community on what they need from policymakers in order to bring sustainable energy to the world’s 7 billion people.

Joan MacNaughton, Executive Chair of the study:

“Ultimately it is the business community who best understands what works in practice and who will make the crucial investment decisions. We are now asking governments to study this report and engage with the business community in order to craft clear, transparent and coherent policies that will deliver their intended results.”

The industry leader’s recommendations will now be shared with WEC’s ministerial and policymaker community with joint recommendations for a more sustainable energy system to be presented at the 2013 World Energy Congress in South Korea.

Mark Robson, Partner at Oliver Wyman and project partner of the study:

“There is a huge shortfall of private investment into low-carbon and energy infrastructure projects. This shortfall can be filled, but right now it is a missed opportunity. Our report makes it clear that industry looks to policymakers for the assurance that their investments won’t become uneconomic due to policy changes. Therefore policymakers must create policies that remain stable over time and are joined up with other policies.”

Analysing 22 different indicators, WEC’s Energy Sustainability Index finds that the top 10 performers in 2012 are Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, Finland, New Zealand, Denmark, Japan, France and Austria, respectively. However, even top performers face challenges, and as countries pass through the stages of development they can struggle in specific areas.

Pierre Gadonneix, WEC Chairman:

“All countries face challenges in their transition towards more secure, environmentally friendly, and equitable energy systems. If we are to have any chance of delivering sustainable energy for all, we need to get real.”

The report and video can be downloaded from www.worldenergy.org