The energy trilemma clock is ticking

In an exclusive studio interview, Chiranjib Sengupta spoke to Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director-Emeritus of the International Energy Agency, to discuss how the industry and the global community can help address the trilemma of energy security, sustainability and affordability. Tanaka underscores the urgency of the situation and how the trilemma has taken on a new dimension amid the current global energy crisis, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine creating a major energy shock in Europe and the subsequent surge in energy prices. He also offers a realistic assessment of the energy transition, and whether the world can afford to wait to achieve net zero any later than 2050 – and outlines the action that needs to be undertaken to improve the synergy between sustainable energy technology, securing future energy supplies, and lowering emissions. Tanaka also touches on the role of energy technologies as the world shifts to a low-carbon future.