The Iran war, especially after the United States and Israel's attack in February, has revealed many vulnerabilities in the global energy system. This war has forced countries to turn to alternative energy sources and rapidly move towards the development of renewable energy.
Impact on the Strait of Hormuz and Energy Consumption
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and gas typically passes, has faced trade restrictions. This situation has pressured countries to reduce fossil fuel consumption and seek alternative resources. For example, according to analyses by the NGO Carbon Brief, the war in Iran is expected to lead to a 0.5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2026.
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Development of Renewable Energy
Investment in renewable energy has significantly increased over the past decade, reaching about twice the investment in fossil fuels. Estimates indicate that by 2025, one-quarter of the cars sold will be electric. Additionally, nearly all new capacity added to the grid will be generated from clean energy sources.
Despite these developments, many countries remain dependent on fossil fuels. Delin Levi Alvarez, director of the Global Petrochemicals Campaign at the International Environmental Law Center, emphasized that "we cannot continue to rely on fossil fuels for energy and raw materials." She added, "We cannot be dependent on fossil fuels for everything around us."
Currently, over 30 countries have adopted policies to transition towards renewable energy or improve energy efficiency in response to the Middle East crisis. However, climate experts believe that more actions are necessary to achieve meaningful impacts in global climate efforts, especially following the recent acknowledgment by the United Nations that the world will not meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement of 2015.
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