PE Live: Societal attitudes key to energy transition

Energy companies are increasingly engaged in decarbonisation—but this must be underpinned by behavioural change and action by elected representatives

While energy companies are on the frontline of the climate change debate, they can act only in accordance with the wishes of society—expressed in behaviour, investment choices and electoral preferences—a panel of experts determined on a PE Live webcast last week. “There is clearly a very strong sentiment coming from societal pressure, successful activism and now government policy, to decarbonise much faster, in line with the Paris climate accord,” says Stuart Broadley, CEO of intelligence provider Energy Industries Council. However, he notes that the level of pressure varies around the world. “Climate change is a global issue,” says William Zimmern, head of energy transition and system analy