This has been an extraordinarily turbulent year for the global energy system. Covid-19 unleashed a crisis of exceptional ferocity on countries around the world, with severe impacts on lives and livelihoods. The crisis is still unfolding today – and its consequences for the world’s energy future remain highly uncertain.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused more disruption to the energy sector than any other event in recent history, leaving impacts that will be felt for years to come. This IEA World Energy Outlook (WEO) examines in detail the effects of the pandemic, and in particular how it affects the prospects for rapid clean energy transitions. It is too soon to say whether today’s crisis represents a setback for efforts to bring about a more secure and sustainable energy system, or a catalyst that accelerates the pace of change. The pandemic is far from over, many uncertainties remain and crucial energy policy decisions have yet to be made.