The energy crisis could also be an opportunity to speed the transition – here’s how

The author contends that the current unprecedented energy shock should serve as a wake-up call to reduce fossil fuel dependence and accelerate the energy transition. By referencing the 1973 oil shock and the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, the text highlights how coordinated multilateral action and public engagement in energy saving can enhance energy security. The author advocates for avoiding broad fuel subsidies and instead investing in low-carbon technologies and the goals of the Paris Agreement to mitigate future vulnerabilities.

• Historical energy crises have demonstrated that coordinated multilateral action can mitigate supply shocks, such as when G7 members in June 1979 established ceilings on oil imports to reduce consumption and shift to alternative energy sources.
• Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan successfully reduced peak electricity demand in metropolitan areas by 15–18% through disciplined saving and the use of "power forecasts" to inform the public about real-time supply and demand.
• Despite technological and policy progress since 1973, the share of fossil fuels in the global energy supply has only decreased from 87% to approximately 80%.
• To avoid locking in fossil fuel dependence, world leaders should avoid broad fuel subsidies and instead prioritize energy saving and the rapid deployment of renewable and low-carbon technologies.

APA

Masuda, T. (2026). The energy crisis could also be an opportunity to speed the transition – here’s how. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/the-energy-crisis-could-also-be-an-opportunity-to-speed-the-transition-here-s-how/

Chicago

Masuda, Tatsuo. The energy crisis could also be an opportunity to speed the transition – here’s how. World Economic Forum, 2026. https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/the-energy-crisis-could-also-be-an-opportunity-to-speed-the-transition-here-s-how/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Masuda |first1=Tatsuo |title=The energy crisis could also be an opportunity to speed the transition – here’s how |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=24 April 2026 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/the-energy-crisis-could-also-be-an-opportunity-to-speed-the-transition-here-s-how/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{masuda2026energy, author = {Masuda, Tatsuo}, title = {{The energy crisis could also be an opportunity to speed the transition – here’s how}}, publisher = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2026}, month = apr, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/the-energy-crisis-could-also-be-an-opportunity-to-speed-the-transition-here-s-how/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }