War in Gaza proves ‘oil and gas are no longer safe choices’, says energy chief

‘No one can convince me that oil are gas are safe and secure energy choices for countries or consumers,’ says IEA chief Fatih Birol

The war in Gaza could accelerate the transition from oil and gas to clean energy, said the chief of the influential International Energy Agency (IEA) on Tuesday.

“Today we are again facing a crisis in the Middle East that could once again shock oil markets,” IEA executive director Fatih Birol told The Associated Press.

“That comes on top of the stress on energy markets from Russia’s cutoff of natural gas to Europe over its invasion of Ukraine.”

He added: “Put these two things together, and no one can convince me that oil are gas are safe and secure energy choices for countries or consumers.”

Wind and solar offer a “long-lasting solution” to energy security issues as well as the climate crisis, Mr Birol said.

Mr Birol’s remarks came as the IEA released its Annual Energy Outlook which found that coal, oil and gas will likely peak before 2030.

“The transition to clean energy is happening worldwide and it’s unstoppable. It’s not a question of ‘if’, it’s just a matter of ‘how soon’ – and the sooner the better for all of us,” Mr Birol said.

By 2030, half of global energy will come from renewables, the IEA estimates, up from 30 per cent now.

There will be 10 times as many electric vehicles worldwide by 2030 and 50 per cent of the cars sold in the United States will be electric, IEA said.

The number of solar panels installed globally will generate more electricity by 2030 than the US power grid produces today, the IEA said.

However, the report warned that the clean energy uptake is still not fast enough to keep global average temperature rise to a somewhat safe 1.5 degrees Celsius.

In order to hold to 1.5C will require tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency measures.

Leaks of methane from fossil fuel industry operations must be cut 75 per cent by 2030. The greenhouse gas has 25 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over 20 years.

Mr Birol said that governments and companies should get behind clean energy, rather than hinder it.

“There are immense benefits on offer, including new industrial opportunities and jobs, greater energy security, cleaner air, universal energy access and a safer climate for everyone,” he said.