Outlook 2024: The energy trilemma – Sustainability, security & affordability
Key trends identified as drivers of the trilemma
Nine of the ten hottest years on record have occurred in the last decade. In the face of such an unequivocal and worrying trend, governments worldwide must balance competing energy goals. These are embodied in the energy trilemma, a concept that illustrates the enormity of the task at hand facing the nations as the world grapples with rising temperatures and their impact. From industrialised economies aiming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission footprints while balancing geopolitical challenges and energy security, to developing economies combatting poverty while also pursuing climate goals, the energy trilemma creates varying and specific challenges for each country. The overall push-and
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