Natural gas, oil and coal will remain the primary energy sources, even as renewables like wind and solar are expanding.
“Renewable energy and nuclear power are the world's fastest-growing energy sources, each increasing by 2.5 percent per year. However, fossil fuels continue to supply almost 80 percent of world energy use through 2040. Natural gas is the fastest-growing fossil fuel in the outlook,” the report states.
Greenhouse gas emissions will keep rising globally, increasing by nearly 50 percent, a level that scientists warn will lead to dangerous climactic changes.
“Given current policies and regulations limiting fossil fuel use, worldwide energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rise from about 31 billion metric tons in 2010 to 36 billion metric tons in 2020 and then to 45 billion metric tons in 2040, a 46-percent increase,” the report states.