Projected energy consumption trends will soon lead to a future that is not sustainable – from an energy-security or environmental perspective, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned yesterday.

Energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions will soar by more than 50% by 2030 if trends continue, the IEA said in its World Energy Outlook report.

Global energy markets are expected to remain robust through 2030. If policies remain unchanged, world energy demand is projected to increase by over 50% between now and 2030. World energy resources are adequate to meet this demand, but investment of $17 trillion will be needed to bring these resources to consumers.

Energy-related CO2 emissions will also climb - by 2030, they will be 52% higher than today. "These projected trends have important implications and lead to a future that is not sustainable – from an energy-security or environmental perspective. We must change these outcomes and get the planet onto a sustainable energy path," said Mr. William C. Ramsay, deputy executive director of the Paris-based International Energy Agency.

Even if world governments got tough on tackling the environment and energy security, demand in 2030 would still soar by 37% and the Middle East and north Africa (MENA) would be pumping much more oil than now. "This will add to the vulnerability of disruption and to the risk that those countries will seek to use their dominant market position to force up prices at some point in the future," said the IEA.

Mr Ramsay highlighted the importance of the MENA to global oil and gas markets. "These countries have vast resources, but these resources must be further developed. Investment should not be delayed," he said.