Greentech Lead Middle East: The World Energy Council
(WEC) annual Energy Sustainability Index reveals that most of the over 90
countries assessed are still far from achieving fully sustainable energy
systems.
Based on 22 different indicators, WEC’s Energy
Sustainability Index finds that the top 10 performers in 2012 are Sweden,
Switzerland, Canada, Norway, Finland, New Zealand, Denmark, Japan, France and
Austria, respectively. However, even top performers face challenges, and as
countries pass through the stages of development they can struggle in specific
areas.
The Index is part of WEC’s 2012 World Energy Trilemma report,
“Time to get real — the case for sustainable energy policy,” which ranks
countries on their climate and energy performance. It finds that most countries
still have not managed to balance the conflicting pressures of what WEC calls
the ‘energy trilemma’.
The study has also interviewed WEC’s global industry
leader community on what they need from policymakers in order to bring
sustainable energy to the world’s 7 billion people.
The study also reveals a huge shortfall of private
investment into low-carbon and energy infrastructure projects. This shortfall
can be filled, but right now it is a missed opportunity, according to
researchers.
Joan MacNaughton, executive chair of the study, said,
“Ultimately it is the business community who best understands what works in
practice and who will make the crucial investment decisions. We are now asking
governments to study this report and engage with the business community in
order to craft clear, transparent and coherent policies that will deliver their
intended results.”
According to Mark Robson, partner at Oliver Wyman and
project partner of the study, there is a huge shortfall of private investment
into low-carbon and energy infrastructure projects. This shortfall can be
filled, but right now it is a missed opportunity.
The industry leader’s recommendations will now be shared
with WEC’s ministerial and policymaker community with joint recommendations for
a more sustainable energy system to be presented at the 2013 World Energy
Congress in South Korea.