World Energy Council sets out a sustainable future for the energy sector in Houston

On Monday October, 31st 2011, Pierre Gadonneix, the Chairman of the energy leaders' network, the World Energy Council will address the World Energy Council's Houston Business Forum.

In his speech about the future for the energy sector he will highlight the importance of energy security in fuelling long term growth: "In the midst of a global economic crisis and rocky road to recovery for the OECD, our top priority must be sustainable economic development, finding a growth path that does not damage the environment and is socially acceptable".

He will go on to tell the audience of over 300 energy ministers and CEOs that "there is good news on the resource front … with unconventional oil and gas, the sector's resources are three to four times higher than proven reserves, or the equivalent of 150 to 200 years of demand based on current consumption."

He will however remind his audience that they need to take measures to address the consequences of global warming: "Energy savings and efficiency efforts need to be stepped up if they are to contribute 40% of the CO2 reductions needed to limit global warming to +2°C between now and 2050" and he will emphasize that "we also need technological innovation from the industry to decarbonize energy".

Looking to the future he will say that policy makers should ensure that "public policies must provide the market with a resilient system" to enable the energy sector to meet the challenges of restoring growth and development and to continue to bring well-being to the people.

The speech will be given at the opening session of the World Energy Council's Houston Business Forum, which takes place at the Hilton Americas between Monday, October 31st and Tuesday, November 1st 2011. The Forum will bring together government leaders and corporate executives to discuss the major energy issues; such as the future of deep offshore drilling, the global nuclear renaissance post Fukushima and the unconventional natural gas plays. The event will also address the future of coal, the role of renewables, energy efficiency and smart grid deployment.

 

Industry leaders' giving Key Note addresses at the Houston Business Forum include:

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Editor:
Pierre Gadonneix is Chairman of the World Energy Council and Honorary Chairman of Electricité de France (EDF). More recently, he was appointed, as qualified expert, to join the "Energie Commission 2050" set up by the French Minister of Industry and Energy to explore several possible scenarios for the future of the French energy system at horizon 2030-2050.

The Houston Business Forum was organized by the World Energy Council's North American member committees: