Kip Hansen’s brief note — February 2, 2023
Dave Middleton, a frequent collaborator here at WUWT, cites a report on the potential of geothermal energy in Texas, attributed to “top state universities – including the University of Texas at Austin, Rice University and Texas A&M University – done. [in collaboration] with International Energy Agency “. Actual report can be download here.
I say “fact report” because looking at the authorship of the report one finds that the report was in fact edited and attributed to a nonprofit advocacy group Project InnerSpace. The two editors listed are: Jamie C. Beard, Esq., Founder and CEO of the InnerSpace Project & Dr. Bryant A. Jones, Head of Policy and Education at Project InnerSpace. There is no indication in the full report – nothing at all – that the report was made in collaboration with the IEA. One of the many co-authors, Rebecca Schulz, is a “advise for the World Energy Outlook group at the International Energy Agency (IEA)”.
And what is the IEA – International Energy Agency – anyway? Which is an international body in charge of the world’s energy? Does it have regulatory rights under the United Nations? Incorrect.
Here’s what the IEA itself says:
The IEA was established in 1974 to help coordinate a collective response to major disruptions in oil supply. While oil security remains an important aspect of our work, the IEA has grown and expanded significantly since its inception. …. “Understanding an all-fuel, all-technology approach, the IEA recommends policies that enhance energy reliability, affordability, and sustainability.” [ source ]
Translate it into plain English, non-policy major:
“The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous intergovernmental organization based in Paris, founded in 1974, dedicated to providing policy recommendations, analysis and data on the entire industry. global energy, with a recent focus on limiting carbon emissions and achieving global climate goals, including the Paris Agreement.“
And, don’t put too good a point on itbut the IEA has proudly published a pamphlet: “Net Zero by 2050 — A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector” [ full .pdf here ]. Speaking about this report Fatih BirolThe IEA Executive Director said:
“Our roadmap shows that the priority actions needed today to ensure that the chance of net zero emissions by 2050 – narrow but still attainable – is not lost. The scale and speed of the efforts required by this important and formidable goal – our best chance to tackle climate change and limit global warming to 1.5°C – makes this perhaps the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced.”
Birol is also the president of World Economic Forum (Davos) Energy Advisory Board.
Key point:
1. The IEA is no longer an impartial group of energy analysts advising world leaders on our energy options. They initially attempted to broker disagreements over energy supply in the 1970s… but transformed into a comprehensive, comprehensive advocacy group to promote NetZero’s policies, to the national government as well. and power brokers in Davos.
2) They do make really cool charts, charts and datasets on energy production, use, distribution, and a broad and extensive portfolio of other energy-related topics. This is a very valuable service. However, with their recent shift to advocacy, one now needs to consider the possibility of bias in those charts and graphs..
3) Like many other agencies and groups, ai very names seem to give them authority (which they don’t have) The IEA wields more power than it should – especially with the elite meeting in Davos. On the other hand, it can be said that Davos holds too much power over the IEA.
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Author’s comments:
I like the graphs and charts provided by the IEA – they are generally very good and informative. Their analysts do a good job.
I suspect that their enthusiasm for NetZero is yet another case of coming along to get to know their team. top executives to “common causes”. Similar to almost every professional organization that has issued policy statements on everything from global warming to the use of personal pronouns, all without polling members.
I could be wrong….
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