Opinion Leaders on WEO

"The WEO-2009 presents the most up to date, comprehensive analysis of how the energy sector can deliver on a climate change deal in Copenhagen.” (Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary UNFCCC, 15 October 2009)

"The World Energy Outlook scenario being presented today shows how global emissions can be controlled quickly and effectively. This requires the participation of all industrialized countries and key emerging economies. We need a low carbon revolution involving all countries as comprehensively as possible. No country or country grouping can solve this challenge alone [...] We can see that the low emissions path outlined by the WEO creates a long lasting and strong demand for technology that mitigates climate change." (Matti Taneli Vanhanen, Finland Prime Minister, 25 November 2009)

"The WEO is an indispensable instrument for energy policy makers, and much of its value lies in the independent nature of its analysis. The findings of the report are a welcome contribution as we prepare to push for an ambitious global climate agreement in Copenhagen and as we continue to develop and implement our energy policy" (Andris Piebalgs, EU Energy Commissioner, 13 November 2009)

“The World Energy Outlook's analysis shows very clearly the challenges that industry faces in delivering new energy infrastructure over the next twenty years. The power sector has to be a major part of the solution in meeting growing power demand and reducing environmental impacts. We in Alstom have the technologies to help deliver the required transformation. But we also need to rely on the right framework for regulation and financing that will drive innovation in clean power. The World Energy Outlook makes it very clear: if we do not act now, it will delay the change for yet another generation's investment decisions” ” (Patrick Kron, CEO Alstom, 7 January 2010)

"I recently had the privilege of attending a presentation of the World Energy Outlook and was struck by the quality of its analysis of the supply challenges to simply keep the world's current oil use flat. Adding the equivalent of four new Saudi Arabia's over the next 21 years would be a challenge of epoch importance and adding another two to supply a modest increase in the world's almost unquenchable need for more oil use coming from China, India and Middle East is daunting. This message from the IEA comes from the work done in 2008 to examine the best data available from the largest producing Giant and Super Giant oil fields. The leadership team at the IEA need high praise for taking such a serious and detailed look into field by field data, as well as discussing its implications in the World Energy Outlook" ”
(Matthew Simmons, Chairman Simmons & Company International, 27 November 2009)

"…..'there is only one world, there is only one road, it is the 450 (WEO 2009 Scenario) road." (Hu Angang, Member of the Committee for China’s 11th Five-Years Plan, 23 November 2009)

"Our energy supply and our climate have come into conflict. We must resolve this: a challenge that is both massive and global. We must act now and stay focused for decades to come. The World Energy Outlook 2009 presents a firm knowledge base for the global collaboration that is needed to reach a common goal, i.e. keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius." (Lars G Josefsson, President and CEO, Vattenfall AB, 26 November 2009)

"This year more than ever, the WEO-2009 can serve as an effective quantitative input into the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, by providing updated scenarios that detail how the energy sector can contribute to limit the global temperature increase within 2°C. I especially share the view of the WEO 2009 on the need of a global agreement to foster a comprehensive and rapid low-carbon transition and on the fundamental role of the carbon market and offset mechanisms." (Fulvio Conti, CEO and General Manager Enel, 3 December 2009)

"When he (Dr. Birol) says things like, 'the world would need to find the equivalent of four times the crude oil reserves now held by Saudi Arabia to maintain current production plus six Saudi Arabias if it is to keep up with the expected increase in demand between now and 2030,' the world sits up and takes notice." (T. Boone Pickens, American financier and Chairman and CEO of BP Capital, 13, November 2009)

"The World Energy Outlook is the most detailed and relevant publication on the energy sector and it clearly shows the interdependence between energy, climate protection and economic development." (Waldemar Pawlak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Poland, 30 November 2009)

"This year’s World Energy Outlook visualises how critical the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will be: If no agreement is reached in December, IEAs analysis estimates that the cost for the world will be enormous: to quote directly from the World Energy Outlook: it will cost us 500 billions US Dollar – a year" (Terje Riis-Johansen, Norway Minister of Petroleum and Energy, 17 November 2009)

"..An outstanding publication" (Maria van der Hoeven, Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, 12 November 2009)

"As the World Energy Outlook’s analysis show, fossil fuels will be critical for the world energy supplies in the foreseeable future, regardless of scenario...crucial finding is to have a high enough carbon dioxide price to give the right signals to the energy sector." (Helge Lund, Chief Executive Officer, Statoil, 17 November 2009)

"The WEO 2009 serves as extremely useful input to the upcoming COP meeting in Copenhagen, because it sets out a means to transform the energy sector" (Connie Hedegaard, Minister of Climate and Energy of Denmark, 11 November 2009)

"The World Energy Outlook 2009 points out the huge challenges both technical and financial we are facing in order to achieve a lower carbon industry and the necessary investments which have to be undertaken today. The major risk is that the present economic conditions are not favourable for these investments. More than ever we need a stable and foreseeable energy policy framework in order, for the industry, to make the required investments. It is in my view the most important challenge." (Jean-François Cirelli, Vice-Chairman, Chief Operating Officer of GDF SUEZ, 19 November 2009)

"We are in the final rush to Copenhagen, we all realise that this is a very very important moment and I tend to think that this is probably the most or one of the two or three most important international negotiations of the post-war period. This period must be absolutely a success. The World Energy Outlook 2009 in this respect is a very interesting and very important contribution. You all know that this is kind of a bible in the energy community around the world. It is read and commented very carefully. And this is a very interesting contribution, not only because it gives us a very precise and clear overview of the market evolution and evolution of the demand, but also of the general economic context.” (Paul Magnette, Belgian Minister of Climate and Energy, 26 November 2009)

"In the run-up to Copenhagen, the World Energy Outlook 2009 is an invaluable resource. It provides insights on the challenges facing the energy sector in the aftermath of the economic crisis, along with a striking reappraisal of gas reserves and new perspectives on energy security risks. It is a compass that can help guide us on the path towards a decarbonised economy, outlining in particular the key role of the electricity industry." (Jean-Paul Bouttes Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Prospective and International Affairs, EDF, 30 November 2009)