World Energy Outlook 2012

The 2012 edition of the World Energy Outlook, released today, presents authoritative projections of energy trends through to 2035 and insights into what they mean for energy security, environmental sustainability and economic development.

Oil, coal, natural gas, renewables and nuclear power are all covered, together with an update on climate change issues. Global energy demand, production, trade, investment and carbon dioxide emissions are broken down by region or country, by fuel and by sector.

WEO-2012 also provides unparalleled analysis of strategic issues that will shape our energy future:

• As we do each year, we analyse a single country, this time Iraq. This first-ever in-depth outlook for the Iraq's energy sector examines both its role in satisfying the country's domestic needs and its crucial role in meeting global oil demand (WEO-2012 special report to be released in early October).
• Detailed analysis of the "Golden Rules" that are needed to support a potential "Golden Age of Gas", which could transform global energy markets. This will provide important insight into the environmental challenges linked to unconventional gas production and how best to deal with them (WEO-2012 special report to be released on 29 May).
• As we do each year, we analyse a single fuel, this time energy efficiency. We take a comprehensive look at the strategies to unlock the potential of energy efficiency and unleash real gains for energy security, economic growth and the environment.
• Water is fundamental to many forms of energy production and so we investigate the water-energy nexus to explore the implications for energy production as water resources become increasingly stressed in some regions.
• We examine the effect of climate impacts on energy trends and on prospects for meeting the 2°celsius climate goal.
• In support of the "UN International Year of Sustainable Energy for All", we provide indicators to help monitor progress towards the goal of providing modern energy services to the billions currently without them.

With extensive data, projections and analysis, WEO-2012 provides invaluable insights into how the global energy system could evolve over the next quarter of a century. It is indispensable for anyone with a stake in the energy sector.

WEO-2012 presents in-depth analysis of several topical issues, such as: the benefits that could be achieved if known best technologies and practices to improve energy efficiency were systematically adopted; the dependence of energy on water, including the particular vulnerabilities faced by the energy sector in a more water-constrained future; how the surge in unconventional oil and gas production in the United States is set to have implications well beyond North America; and a detailed country focus on Iraq, examining both its importance in satisfying the country's own needs and its crucial role in meeting global oil and gas demand. Furthermore, it analyses the implications of energy trends on climate change, quantifies the cost of subsidies to fossil fuels and renewables, which are both coming under closer scrutiny in this age of austerity, and presents measures of progress towards providing universal access to modern energy services.

Source: International Energy Agency | World Energy Outlook