For the first time since 1981, global energy use is set to fall this year, mainly due to the financial crisis, according to The World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2009.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its WEO 2009 publication that the projected global demand was lower than in last year's report, reflecting the impact of the economic crisis.
The WEO 2009 said fossil fuels will continue to dominate the energy mix, accounting for more than three-quarters of incremental demand. Non-OECD countries account for over 90 per cent of this increase.
The WEO said that containing climate change was possible but would require a profound transformation of the energy sector.
"WEO 2009 provides both a caution and grounds for optimism. Caution, because a continuation of current trends in energy use puts the world on track for a rise in temperature of up to 6 centigrade and poses serious threats to global energy security.
"Optimism, because there are cost-effective solutions to avoid severe climate change while also enhancing energy security and these are within reach as the new Outlook shows," said Nobuo Tanaka, executive director of IEA.
The IEA is an intergovernmental organisation which acts as energy policy advisor to 28 member countries in their effort to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for their citizens.