World energy transitions outlook 2023: 1.5°C pathway; preview

The report positions electrification and efficiency as key transition drivers, enabled by renewable energy, clean hydrogen and sustainable biomass. This preview of the World Energy Transitions Outlook provides an overview of the progress achieved in developing and implementing these technological avenues. It shows that the scale and extent of the change achieved in all sectors to date fall far short of what is required to stay on the 1.5°C pathway. Most of the progress so far has been made in the power sector, where advances in technology, policy and innovation have taken us a long way. Current energy structures were designed to support fossil fuels and must be re-designed to support renewable energy systems. The emphasis must shift from supply to demand, toward overcoming the structural obstacles that impede progress. This preview outlines three priority pillars physical infrastructure; policy and regulatory enablers; and a well-skilled workforce – that must be addressed simultaneously, requiring significant investment and a new paradigm for international co-operation in which all actors can engage in the transition and play an optimal role.