Rising Population and Energy Demand: A Global Outlook

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that global energy consumption will surpass gains in energy efficiency in most cases, leading to an increase in energy-related CO2 emissions by 2050. Factors such as population growth, higher living standards, and increased regional manufacturing contribute to the higher energy consumption. While non-fossil fuel-based resources like nuclear and renewables will produce more energy, their growth is not sufficient to reduce global CO2 emissions under current laws and regulations. The shift to renewables for electricity generation is driven by regional resources, technology costs, and policy, while energy security concerns drive a transition away from fossil fuels in some countries but increased consumption in others.