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The World Ahead | Energy politics in 2024

The green transition will transform the global economic order

But the winners and losers are not as obvious as you might think

Flowers growing out of first place in a cracked podium.
image: Alberto Miranda

By Matthieu Favas

The transition to a carbon-neutral world should make all countries better off, at least in theory. Many will rely less on fuel imports, yielding big savings and insulating their economies from swings in hydrocarbon prices. Those that export the metals needed for new Teslas, turbines and terawatt-hours of grid capacity will earn juicy rents. Even former petrostates may thrive if they can use revamped refineries and pipelines, as well as wind and sun, to make hydrogen. And everyone would welcome a planet that stops getting hotter and more dangerous every year.

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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition of The World Ahead 2024 under the headline “Transfer window”

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