The total energy consumption in the world is expected to increase to 22 Gtoe per year in 2050, from the current 10 Gtoe per year. Fossil fuels
The IEA Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE Scenario) translates the 1.5 °C goal into a global pathway for the energy sector. The updated NZE Scenario is based on four central pillars that are widely applicable: clean energy electrification, energy efficiency, low-emissions fuels and methane abatement. * The installed capacity of renewables increases nearly fourfold from today’s level by 2035 in the NZE Scenario: nuclear and other low-emissions technologies increasingly contribute as electricity demand grows to account for one-third of all energy consumption. In the NZE Scenario, emissions fall by nearly 55% by 2035 to around 18 Gt. Yet, the increase in long-term global average temperature exceeds 1.5 °C around 2030 and peaks at around 1.65 °C about 2050. The NZE Scenario achieves the COP28 goals of doubling efficiency and tripling renewables capacity by 2030, and it meets the Paris Agreement goal of holding warming well below 2 °C throughout the 21st Century. In the NZE Scenario, the global average temperature increase falls back below 1.5 °C by 2100.
In 2050, global demand for primary energy will remain high, but its level and mix will depend on the pathway in question. In all three scenarios, the share of
We project that, absent significant changes in policy or technology, global energy consumption will increase nearly 50% over the next 30 years.
Appendix 3: Useful information Abbreviations ASEAN Association of South-East Asian Nations BANANA build absolutely nothing anywhere near anyone bcm billion cubic metres BEV battery electric vehicle bpd barrels per day BRIC Brazil, Russia, India and China BRICS Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa B-S-P bijli, sadak and pani (electricity, road and water) CAGR compound annual growth rate CC(U)S carbon capture, utilisation and storage CCGT combined cycle gas turbine CCS carbon, capture and storage CDM Clean Development Mechanism CH4 Methane CHP combined heat and power CIF climate investment funds CIS Commonwealth of Independent States CNG compressed natural gas CO2 carbon dioxide COP Conference of Parties CPS cyber-physical systems World Energy Scenarios: Composing energy futures to 2050 World Energy Council 2013 265 CTL coal to liquid DAS Deutsche Anpassungs Strategie Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DS degrees Celsius, e.g. 6DS: 6°C Scenario E&P exploration and production EJ exajoule EOR enhanced oil recovery ESM energy system model ESO energy savings obligations ETL endogenous technology learning ETP 2010 Energy Technology Perspectives 2010 report (International Energy Agency) ETS Emissions Trading Scheme ETSAP Energy Technology Systems Analysis EU European Union with its 28 member states as of 1 July 2013 (EU-28) EU-ETS EU Emissions Trading Scheme EUR Europe EURELECTRIC The association of the electricity industry in Europe EV electric vehicle FDI foreign direct investment FICCA Finnish research programme on climate change FMCGs fast moving consumer goods FTA free trade area FY financial year GCC Golf Cooporation Council GDP gross domestic product GHG greenhouse gas GMM global multi-regional MARKAL model World Energy Scenarios: Composing energy futures to 2050 World Energy Council 2013 266 HFCs hydrofluorocarbons IBM International Business Machines Corporation ICE internal combustion engine ICEVs internal combustion engine vehicles ICT information and communication technology IEA International Energy Agency IGCC integrated gasification combined cycle IMF International Monetary Fund JI joint implementation LAC Latin America and The Caribbean Li-ion lithium-ion batteries LNG liquid natural gas
* Basic Statistic Global primary energy consumption 2010-2024, by region. * Basic Statistic Global primary energy consumption 2024, by country. * Premium Statistic Global per capita primary energy consumption by select country 2024. * Premium Statistic Global fossil fuel share in energy consumption 2024, by country. * Basic Statistic Global primary energy consumption 2000-2050, by energy source. * Basic Statistic Global primary energy consumption projection by country 2022-2050. * Premium Statistic Global renewable energy consumption 2000-2024. * Premium Statistic Global nuclear energy consumption 2011-2024. * Premium Statistic Global renewable energy consumption 2023, by source. * Premium Statistic Global total energy consumption 2023, by country. * Premium Statistic Global energy consumption 2023, by sector. "Primary Energy Consumption Worldwide from 2000 to 2023, with a Forecast until 2050, by Energy Source (in Exajoules)." Statista, Statista Inc., 25 Sep 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/222066/projected-global-energy-consumption-by-source/?\_\_sso\_cookie\_checker=failed. BP, Primary energy consumption worldwide from 2000 to 2023, with a forecast until 2050, by energy source (in exajoules) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/222066/projected-global-energy-consumption-by-source/?\_\_sso\_cookie\_checker=failed (last visited February 14, 2026).
[ Press Release — Apr 7, 2026 The World Will Exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C Goal, Global Energy Projections Indicate New analysis indicates that the Paris Agreement’s “stretch goal” of limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels before 2050 is no longer plausible.](https://www.rff.org/news/press-releases/the-world-will-exceed-the-paris-agreements-15c-goal-global-energy-projections-indicate/). [b](https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2026/#)b These differences from IEA STEPS correspond to a net increase in anticipated electricity demand (1 percent) from end users in North America, in contrast to the anticipated reduction in North American electricity generation in the same scenario. In this paper, we examined projections from the following publications: [c](https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2026/#)c As our methodology does not vary significantly from year to year, this section includes standing language. Contents [Highlights](https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2026/#section-highlights)[1. Introduction](https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2026/#section-1-introduction)[2. Key Findings](https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2026/#section-2-key-findings)[3. In Focus](https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2026/#section-3-in-focus)[4. Data and Methods](https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2026/#section-4-data-and-methods)[5. [ Global Energy Outlook Explore the definitive comparative analysis of global energy projections.](https://www.rff.org/publications/data-tools/global-energy-outlook/). [Back to top](https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2026/#top). [](https://www.rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2026/#).
Global electricity generation will surge by 2.7%/year over 2023-2050, with fast rises in developing countries, and moderate rises in advanced economies.