World Energy Outlook 2025 – Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)

Analysis of the World Energy Outlook and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of the World Energy Outlook (WEO)

• The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Outlook is recognized as the most authoritative source for global energy analysis and projections.
• It is updated annually, incorporating the latest energy data, technological trends, and government policies.
• The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the entire energy system.

WEO’s Scenario-Based Approach and SDG Alignment

The WEO utilizes a multi-scenario approach to explore potential energy futures, illustrating how different policy choices impact global goals. This methodology directly supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1. SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The report’s core function is to analyze pathways for ensuring universal energy access, security, and affordability, which are central targets of SDG 7.
2. SDG 13 (Climate Action): By projecting emissions under various scenarios and outlining normative pathways to achieve climate targets, the WEO provides critical data and policy guidance essential for fulfilling the objectives of SDG 13.
3. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The analysis of diverse national energy policies and geopolitical factors underscores the necessity for international cooperation to navigate the global energy transition, aligning with the principles of SDG 17.

Key Themes in the Latest Edition and SDG Implications

The most recent edition addresses acute geopolitical strains and major shifts in global energy markets, with specific themes that have significant implications for the SDGs:

• Energy Security, Affordability, and Sustainability: The report’s examination of government responses to these interconnected challenges provides insights into balancing the economic and environmental dimensions of energy policy, directly informing progress on SDG 7 and SDG 13.
• Security of Critical Minerals Supply: This prominent theme is intrinsically linked to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). A secure and sustainable supply of critical minerals is fundamental for the manufacturing of clean energy technologies, thereby underpinning the successful implementation of both SDG 7 and SDG 13.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article directly references key components of this goal by stating that the World Energy Outlook (WEO) explores implications for “energy security, access and emissions” and that governments are tackling concerns about “energy security, affordability and sustainability.” These terms are central to the mission of SDG 7.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article’s focus on “emissions” and achieving “emissions goals in full” clearly connects to SDG 13. The WEO’s analysis of how different energy policies affect emissions is a core element of taking action to combat climate change.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The mention of “security of supply of critical minerals” as an important theme directly relates to the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, which is a cornerstone of SDG 12. Critical minerals are essential for clean energy technologies, and their sustainable sourcing is a major concern.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The article discusses “technology and market trends” and “investment choices” in the energy system. This relates to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation, which are key aspects of SDG 9, particularly in the context of transitioning to sustainable energy systems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
   • This target is identified through the article’s explicit mention of the WEO’s analysis of energy “access” and “affordability.”
2. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • This is implied by the focus on achieving “emissions goals” and “sustainability.” A primary way to achieve these is by transitioning to renewable energy sources, a key topic the WEO covers.
3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The article highlights that the WEO analyzes “government policies” and the “consequences of different energy policy and investment choices” in relation to achieving “emissions goals.” This directly reflects the integration of climate considerations into national policy-making.
4. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • This target is directly linked to the article’s statement that an “important theme in this year’s WEO is security of supply of critical minerals.” Managing these resources sustainably is essential for the energy transition.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicator for Target 7.1:
   • While no specific number is given, the WEO’s analysis of energy “access” implies the use of data similar to Indicator 7.1.1 (Proportion of population with access to electricity) to measure progress.
2. Implied Indicator for Target 7.2:
   • The discussion of “sustainability” and achieving “emissions goals” implies the tracking of renewable energy deployment. This points to the use of metrics like Indicator 7.2.1 (Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption).
3. Implied Indicator for Target 13.2:
   • The article’s focus on “emissions” and “emissions goals” suggests that the WEO’s analysis relies on data related to greenhouse gas output. This would be measured by indicators such as Indicator 13.2.2 (Total greenhouse gas emissions per year).
4. Implied Indicator for Target 12.2:
   • The concern for the “security of supply of critical minerals” implies the need to measure and track the consumption of these materials. This relates to indicators like Indicator 12.2.2 (Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP), which track a country’s use of natural resources.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ccacoalition.org