Clean Electrification and Fossil Fuel Phase-Down: Building a Resilient Energy Future

April 2026

At COP28, countries agreed for the first time to “transition away from fossil fuels” in a just and orderly manner, marking a shift in global climate policy. Yet progress has been uneven: COP30 failed to deliver a clear roadmap, prompting countries to advance new coalitions and consultations focused on implementation. At the same time, the global energy shock triggered by the conflict affecting energy markets in the Middle East reinforced the risks of continued fossil fuel dependence, highlighting the urgency of accelerating the transition.

In response, the Energy Transitions Commission sets out complementary analyses:

An Electrified and Resilient Future Beyond Fossil Fuels – Demonstrates how clean electrification can deliver the same energy services with far greater efficiency, reducing energy demand, lowering emissions, and insulating economies from fossil fuel price volatility.
Fossil Fuel Phase-Down: Trends by Fuel and Policies to Accelerate Implementation – Sets out how coal, oil and gas demand are peaking or entering decline under current policies, and identifies the sector-specific actions needed to accelerate a managed, global phase-down.
A forthcoming paper will focus on energy resilience in the wake of market shocks.

Accelerating clean electrification is the fastest route to reducing emissions while strengthening energy security. By shifting from imported fossil fuels to domestically generated clean electricity, countries can reduce exposure to geopolitical shocks, stabilise energy costs, and build more resilient, productive economies. The recommendations set out here focus on scaling electrification, aligning policy and price signals, and ensuring a managed, orderly decline of fossil fuel use in line with global climate goals.