Understanding the challenges related to energy supply, natural resource management, and sustainable development.
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Card 1
Rising incomes that increase energy use per person
Explanation
As people become richer, they consume more goods, services, and mobility, all requiring energy.
Common mistake
Confusing short-term price or weather effects with the structural impact of rising incomes.
Card 2
Conversion and transmission losses before reaching end users
Explanation
Primary energy counts energy at the source, while final energy only counts what reaches consumers.
Common mistake
Assuming final energy and primary energy are always numerically identical.
Card 3
The economy produces more value with less energy per unit
Explanation
Lower energy intensity means each unit of GDP requires less energy, a sign of efficiency or structural change.
Common mistake
Equating lower energy intensity with declining total energy consumption.
Card 4
Emerging economies with rapid industrialization and urbanization
Explanation
Industrial growth, urbanization, and rising incomes in emerging economies rapidly increase energy demand.
Common mistake
Assuming rich countries remain the main source of demand growth.
Card 5
By enabling productive activities that raise incomes
Explanation
Electricity and clean fuels support businesses, agriculture, and services that generate income.
Common mistake
Viewing energy access only as a welfare service, not as a production enabler.
Card 6
Expansion of data centers and cloud computing
Explanation
Data centers and cloud services consume large and growing amounts of electricity.
Common mistake
Underestimating the physical energy footprint of seemingly “virtual” digital services.
Card 7
Coal, oil and natural gas combined
Explanation
Despite rapid renewable growth, fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix.
Common mistake
Assuming renewables already supply most global energy because they grow quickly.
Card 8
Their long lifetimes commit future emissions unless retired early
Explanation
Once built, plants tend to operate for decades, locking in associated emissions.
Common mistake
Ignoring remaining plant lifetimes when assessing future emissions pathways.
Card 9
An investment that loses economic value before its expected lifetime
Explanation
Climate policies and technology shifts can make fossil assets uneconomic well before planned retirement.
Common mistake
Thinking stranded assets refer only to unproven geological reserves.
Card 10
Reducing emissions while maintaining reliable and affordable supply
Explanation
Policymakers must cut greenhouse gases without undermining access and reliability of energy.
Common mistake
Assuming that any decarbonization policy automatically improves energy security.
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