Why do we barely hear from anyone talking about the benefits of oil and gas? Because it is too inconvenient. The lack of public acknowledgement of what our industry does to provide reliable and affordable energy to billions, or our contribution towards decarbonization is telling.

We are not the ones just talking without taking action, perpetuating myths, or politicising the debate. If we look at the pure facts, we, the industry, are the ones driving transparency and advocating measurement and reporting of methane emissions and developing technology such as Carbon Capture and Storage. This doesnвЂ™t mean that those of us who work in Oil and Gas want to ignore the need to further decarbonize production and reduce our environmental footprint or that we are not strong supporters of the progression and advancement of renewable energy and partners in that journey. There is simply no way to meet the worldвЂ™s energy demand without oil and gas any time soon. Renewables, without a doubt, play a key role in a diverse and lower carbon energy system, but they need reliable back-up. Frozen wind turbines in Texas, solar panels blanketed in snow in Europe, current weather conditions demonstrate again how much the world depends on reliable energy sources and that the diversification of energy supply is a key enabler for keeping homes warm and the lights on. Emerging economies will continue to rely heavily on oil and gas for decades to come.Д«ut itвЂ™s not as simple as addressing the needs of the developing world. They deserve better, donвЂ™t they? Assertions that electricity access can be expanded to over a billion people quickly and in a completely вЂgreenвЂ™ fashion are either naГЇve or, even worse, ignorant. Billions do not have access to clean cooking fuels. Hundreds of millions more only have very limited or unreliable access to electricity. But the reality is, almost 800 million people live without access to electricity. вЂњKeep it in the groundвЂќ is such a logical concept, isnвЂ™t it?ДЇor those fortunate enough to enjoy access to reliable and affordable energy, this might be a вЂfeel goodвЂ™ truth. And the world can easily do without our industry. Oil and gas are perceived as relics of our past, with no place in the future. Many donвЂ™t even think about it or question the headlines.

An inconvenient truth