Seventeenth WEC: In conclusion

While the world has more than enough energy to meet growth, enormous challenges are posed by the possibility of climate change, concluded the World Energy Council at the close of its 17th Congress. But new energy technologies will foster economic development, mitigate environmental impacts and sustain energy resources. Noting that 20% of the world's population uses 80% of the energy production, WEC further concluded that:

¥ Global energy consumption will grow by about 50% in 20 years

¥ Renewable technologies, specifically wind, biomass and solar, may provide a viable option for areas operating independent of power grids and fuel pipeline systems

¥ Increased efficiency and energy use offer the most immediate, cost-effective, and largest opportunity to reduce resource consumption and environmental degradation

¥ Sustainability will depend not only on an adequate energy supply, but also on the stimulation, stewardship and stability that educated and informed populations provide in today's interdependent nations

Based on these conclusions, WEC recommended:

¥ Industry and governments should sustain their efforts to widen the energy supply base into cost effective options

¥ The accelerated development and use of renewable resources must be given high priority as a means of supplying commercial energy services to people without previous access to energy sources

¥ Nuclear power should play a major role in contributing to electricity provision and in strategies to combat global warming

¥ Government and industry should assess the societal cost of a trend to larger, more energy consumptive options when environmental and infrastructure costs are mounting

¥ Auto-oil partnerships should reduce local air pollution, especially in developing economies and should promote the transfer of advanced fuel and automotive technologies to these countries

¥ The energy industry must sustain its commitment to R&D with government support for activities related to fostering the public good