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Topic
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as one of the most consequential technologies of our time. In recent years, the capabilities of AI systems have grown quickly due to improved computing power, a boom in data availability and breakthroughs in the design of AI models, leading to rapid adoption by both businesses and individuals. Though significant uncertainties remain, AI has the potential to transform the energy sector in the coming decade. It is set to drive a surge in electricity demand from data centres around the world while also unlocking significant opportunities to cut costs, enhance competitiveness and reduce emissions.To…
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Energy and Water
Energy and water are deeply and fundamentally connected Water is essential for almost every aspect of producing energy, from electricity generation to fossil fuel extraction to biofuels cultivation. In fact, the energy sector accounts for roughly 10% of all global freshwater withdrawals. Meanwhile, energy is crucial to maintaining global water supply. It is needed to extract water from lakes, rivers and oceans; lift groundwater from aquifers and pump it through pipes and canals; and treat water and deliver it to users.This interdependence is set to intensify in the coming years. Each resource faces rising demand and growing constraints in many…
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Topic
COP28: Tracking the Energy Outcomes
The latest IEA data and analysis on global action to meet the energy goals set at COP28 Nearly 200 countries made major collective pledges on energy at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai with the aim of keeping within reach the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C. For the first time, governments explicitly recognised that to achieve this target, energy-related emissions need to reach net zero by 2050, and they set key goals to help meet this objective – including tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling global energy efficiency improvements by 2030, and deploying emerging technologies…
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Topic
The Middle East and Global Energy Markets
The IEA is responding to the energy market impacts of the conflict in the Middle East and continues to closely monitor the latest developments.The disruption to oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy infrastructure across the region have major implications for energy security and affordability – and for the world economy. The IEA's Executive Director has said the combined impacts amount to "the greatest threat to global energy security in history." The war in the region that began on 28 February has impeded energy trade flows through the Strait, creating the largest supply disruption in…
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Topic
Fossil Fuel Subsidies
This approach compares average end-user prices paid by consumers with reference prices that correspond to the full cost of supply. The price gap is the amount by which an end-use price is short of the reference price. Its existence indicates the presence of a subsidy. In a given economy, the basic calculation of subsidies for a product is:Subsidy = (Reference price - End-user price) × Units consumedThese calculations require substantial data. End-user price and consumption data are drawn from IEA data and, where necessary, from government sources and other reports. The estimates are also sensitive to reference…