ExxonMobil Global Outlook:
Our view to 2050

Energy use and economic development are inseparable. Where there is energy poverty, there is poverty. And where energy availability rises, living standards rise as well.

The Global Outlook is ExxonMobil’s latest view of energy demand and supply through 2050. It forms the basis for our business planning and is underpinned by a deep understanding of long-term market fundamentals.

View the Executive summary
2050
projections and key takeaways

We begin creating the Outlook by looking at fundamental drivers including population, living standards, and consumer preferences. 

Then we forecast energy demand across 15 sectors and match the demand for energy services with about 20 types of energy, considering how technology, government policies, and other factors may evolve. We forecast oil and natural gas production from key producing countries/regions, and to estimate energy-related CO2 emissions, we look at historical and projected energy demand and apply an emissions factor for each type.

Explore the fundamentals

  • Global energy fundamentals

    Energy is essential for human progress. Economic expansion and improving access to energy enable people to lead longer, more productive lives.

  • Energy demand: Three drivers

    Policy. Technology. Consumer preferences. All three affect how the world uses energy. Each driver influences the others and changes over time, with variances by region and political circumstances.

  • Energy transition signposts

    Any projection or scenario of future energy demand and supply will reflect a given pace of the energy transition. In our long-term planning, we pay close attention to key signposts that indicate a potential shift in the speed and direction of the transition.

  • Energy supply

    Energy – in all its forms – enables growth and prosperity. As economies grow, as technology advances, as consumers become more environmentally aware, and as government policies adapt, global energy demand will evolve to meet changing needs.

  • Emissions

    Providing reliable, affordable energy to support prosperity and improve living standards is coupled with the need to do so in ways that reduce risk to the environment, including climate change.

    How we develop our Outlook

    Monitoring policy and technology trends

    The Company monitors changes in technology and policy, for example solar panel pricing, battery efficiency, the European Union’s tailpipe emissions regulations, and China’s coming 14th five-year plan.

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