The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that global oil demand is projected to peak by the end of the decade, driven by efforts to tackle climate change and enhance energy security, according to the International Energy Agency. The Globe's Jeffrey Jones writes that in its latest World Energy Outlook, the IEA sees crude oil demand reaching a tipping point before 2030, leading to increased competition among producers and falling prices, while cleaner energy sources grow in transportation and power generation.
After this peak, oil demand is expected to decline gradually, complicating the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions. However, this scenario could provide a buffer against energy market disruptions, as technologies like electric vehicles and artificial intelligence demand more power. The report highlights the challenge of balancing emissions reduction with the need for affordable energy in a world facing conflicts and climate disasters. As IEA director Fatih Birol stated, "The world is rapidly moving into the age of electricity." Electricity supplies grew at double the rate of total energy demand from 2010 to 2023, and that is projected to increase to six times as fast between now and 2035, he said.
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