ARKANSAS, Oct 24 (Future Headlines)- The International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued a report projecting that world fossil fuel demand is set to peak by 2030. This prediction is based on several key factors, including the increasing adoption of electric vehicles and a shift in China’s economy toward cleaner energy sources. The report challenges the viewpoint presented by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which anticipates a prolonged rise in oil demand beyond 2030 and advocates for substantial investments in the oil sector.

The IEA’s report emphasizes that the transition to clean energy is occurring on a global scale and is inevitable. It highlights that the question is not whether this transition will happen but how soon it can be achieved. The IEA’s Executive Director, Fatih Birol, stresses that governments, businesses, and investors should support clean energy transitions rather than hinder them.

One of the notable points in the IEA’s report is the prediction of peaks in demand for oil, natural gas, and coal within this decade. This projection is based on the scenario that considers the current policies of governments. It marks the first time that the IEA has forecasted such peaks in fossil fuel demand.

While recognizing the ongoing transition to clean energy, the IEA also acknowledges that, as things currently stand, the demand for fossil fuels remains significantly high and inconsistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The report points out that this high demand for fossil fuels not only exacerbates climate impacts but also poses risks to the energy system’s stability, which was originally designed for a cooler world with fewer extreme weather events.

The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) plays a crucial role in the predicted decline of fossil fuel demand. The IEA anticipates a significant increase in the number of EVs on the road by 2030. Notably, the agency expects almost ten times as many electric cars to be in use globally by 2030. The increased adoption of EVs is attributed to supportive policies in key markets. For instance, the IEA predicts that 50% of new car registrations in the United States will be electric by 2030, significantly up from 12% in a previous outlook, largely due to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act.

China’s evolving role in energy demand is highlighted in the report. Over the past decade, China was responsible for a substantial portion of the global increase in oil consumption. However, China’s economic growth is slowing down, and it is increasingly becoming a significant player in clean energy production. In 2022, over half of the global electric vehicle sales occurred in China.

The IEA underscores the importance of scaling up investments in all aspects of a clean energy system rather than investing in fossil fuels. While it acknowledges that the era of fossil fuel growth is ending, the report suggests that there is still a place for investments in fossil fuels, even though they are becoming less justified.

The report from the IEA contradicts the viewpoint presented by OPEC. In a recent OPEC report, concerns were raised about calls to halt investments in new oil projects, describing them as “misguided” and warning that they could lead to energy and economic instability.