Balancing energy security against net-zero targets
To ensure a successful energy transition and to meet net-zero ambitions, it is critical to enable optionality in energy sources and low-carbon renewable technologies. Solar power, onshore and offshore wind, biofuels, hydropower, and renewable gasses are all pulling together to meet today’s energy supply and demand challenges.
Mobilising investment to secure a low carbon economy
Fiscal support from governments and the rise of sustainable finance has advanced power sector investment in renewables, grids, and storage. By addressing key risks and barriers, public finance, including sustainable finance, plays a vital role in bridging the financing gap and attracting further investment from the private sector to renewables. Institutional investors, such as pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds, have the potential to scale up major investments.
The role of digitalisation in the future of energy
AI, remote sensing, and cloud computing technology are all proving their value to the energy transition in multiple domains, driving measurable improvements in renewable energy forecasting, grid operations and optimisation and acting as a security enabler. The role of digitalisation in reducing the net-carbon footprint is imperative, as is the subsequent data capture and reduction of emissions along the value chain.
Decarbonisation of hard to abate sectors
A lower carbon future requires critical measures to overcome mitigation barriers in hard-to-abate sectors. The most important ones include technological advancements, structural changes within mobility, industry, and buildings sectors. The pathways for decarbonising these industries will require the adoption of hydrogen and Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage technologies to show the immense potential to reduce emissions.
Fuelling the energy transition and the role of LNG and gas
LNG and gas will function as a critical vector of the energy transition and play a significant role in meeting the world’s need for reliable energy. Carbon neutral LNG is increasingly becoming a necessity due to market and regulatory demands. There is growing pressure on the market’s leading players to reduce emissions across the LNG supply chain and in the long term methane emissions from oil and gas production will become regulated. Verified transparent, and third party-audited natural gas certification schemes will incentivise and accelerate the market’s demand for cleaner energy.
Investing in the next generation of talent
The success of the energy transition will depend on human capital. In the wake of a skills gap and growing clean energy job market, in the years ahead, the focus will be on upskilling, reskilling, and adapting the transferrable skills from other industries. Energy brands recognise the challenges they face in recruiting talent and connecting meaningfully with potential recruits. Attracting the next generation workforce is possible when brands take more responsibility for their place in the world and show a positive contribution to deliver net zero targets.