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Access and Affordability
“An Affordable and Sustainable Energy System for Sub-Saharan Africa” (Energy Sub-Saharan Africa) is a five-year programme (2019-2024) funded by the European Union. It supports work with Benin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia, with the aim of promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth through the transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient energy sector, while delivering universal and affordable energy access to all. Today, 730 million people around the world live without access to electricity, while over 2 billion people continue to rely on harmful cooking fuels…
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Critical Minerals
…standing experience in safeguarding energy security. What are critical minerals? Ensuring secure, sustainable and responsible supply chains In the years ahead, ensuring reliable supplies of critical minerals will be key to the security of energy systems. However, there are risks. Our analysis indicates that today’s well-supplied market may not be a good guide for the future as demand rises. Additionally, the over-concentration in critical minerals markets today is unprecedented compared with any other major commodity we rely on in the modern world.To support countries as they look to develop sufficient and resilient critical mineral supply chains…
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Energy Innovation
…these collaborations work to advance the research, development and commercialisation of specific energy technologies. There are currently 39 TCPs focused on topics across many sectors, including buildings, transport, industry, renewable energy, fossil energy and fusion power. What's needed to power innovation? The Technology and Innovation Advisory Board strengthens the IEA’s work by providing a forum for engagement with innovation practitioners with hands-on experience developing and scaling up innovative energy technologies – including stakeholders from academia and research, large energy companies, small and medium-sized technology developers, investors, and other players in the innovation system, such as philanthropic funders…
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Energy Security
…remain an important part of the energy mix for some time. There is also good reason to believe that oil supply disruptions are even more likely to occur in the coming decades than they are today. This is due to an elevated risk of supply-demand imbalances, increasing supply concentration for both crude oil and oil products, a highly uncertain geopolitical outlook, and a plethora of additional risks, such as the growing threat of cyberattacks and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. One of the IEA’s key tools is an oil stockholding system that requires member countries to…
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Russia's War on Ukraine
…the war continues to reshape the global energy system in profound ways. Trade patterns for oil and natural gas have shifted dramatically since Russia’s invasion as governments look to strengthen their energy security. At the same time, cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels are growing faster than ever. Due in part to policies unveiled by governments after February 2022, the world’s capacity to produce renewable power is expanding at a remarkable place , while the popularity of clean technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps is surging. The biggest legacy of the global energy crisis triggered by Russia's invasion…
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Climate Change
…deliver 1.5 °C-aligned energy transitions; and supporting the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement – while deepening existing cooperation on data and capacity building. The IEA and the UNFCCC are building consensus on actions to deliver 1.5 °C-aligned energy transitions; and supporting the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement – while deepening existing cooperation on data and capacity building. The global energy system is the bedrock of modern economies and societies – providing power to everywhere we live and work. Yet the production and consumption of energy is also responsible for…
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Energy and Water
…as well as climate change. This has significant implications for ensuring both energy and water security. Energy's water problem Energy demand for water desalination is poised to double to 2030 Almost all of the world’s water demand is met by groundwater and surface water. However, water stress has led to an increase in the use of non-traditional resources, such as saltwater. This requires desalination, the process of separating saline water (seawater or brackish water) into freshwater and concentrated salt. Global energy demand for desalination has nearly doubled since 2010, and current trends point to another doubling to…
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Energy and Gender
…positions has been rising faster than the economy-wide average since 2015. Renewables and nuclear have seen particularly strong progress, while there have only been marginal gains in oil and gas supply, and coal witnessed declines. Women’s share of leadership roles in the energy sector now stands at 18% – up from 13% in 2015, but still below the economy-wide average of 25%. Nearly one in three people lack access to clean cooking, disproportionately affecting women and children Women disproportionately endure the negative consequences of a lack of access to clean cooking fuel supplies. In addition to health risks…
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Artificial Intelligence
…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 better understand the growing connections between energy and AI, the IEA launched a major new initiative in 2024: Energy for…
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COP28: Tracking the Energy Outcomes
…of Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, under the Paris Agreement. Strong ambition and implementation of these NDCs will be crucial in determining the pace at which global greenhouse gas emissions decline over the next decade.The IEA is working with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat and sharing data, analysis and policy advice with governments to inform this process.Our Climate Pledges Explorer tracks existing NDCs and net zero targets for more than 190 countries. The interactive database, which also lays out what each country’s NDC implies for energy sector emissions, is updated regularly. Working with countries to accelerate progres...