BP review reveals slowing world energy consumption growth but increasing carbon emissions

At the launch of the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2007, chief economist-designate Christof Rühl offered an interpretation of current trends based on the Review, highlights of which we publish here. Energy has very much been in the spotlight in recent years. One way or another, the reasons usually lead to the increase in prices and the acceleration in energy consumption growth we have witnessed over the last few years. Based on the data published in this year’s Statistical Review of World Energy, I will look at recent energy developments from two perspectives. I first look at medium term developments by comparing the last five years with earlier periods. Then I focus on what changed from the beginning of 2006 until now, and why.