Agenda 2018 marks new turn in energy

A few critical announcements about likely themes in energy and mobility this year had a familiar ring but for a surprise one on a shift away from upstream gas investments

A few critical announcements around the world in December and January highlight the themes that are likely to dominate 2018 in energy and mobility. While most threads will have a familiar ring to them — record installations of solar once again, more divestment, more disclosure and more disruption — the somewhat surprising one was the announcement of a shift away from upstream gas investments.

The World Bank Group announced its intention to avoid upstream oil and gas investments after 2019. Why gas, which has the lowest emissions among fossil fuels? The Bank averred that “for those countries with oil and