Former IEA Official Criticizes Agency’s Green Focus, Calls for Oil and Gas Prioritization

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is facing criticism for its shift toward clean energy policies. Former IEA oil market chief Neil Atkinson, along with Mark Mills of the National Center for Energy Analytics, released a report titled Energy Delusions on Wednesday, arguing that the agency should prioritize oil and gas supply concerns.

The report, launched on Capitol Hill with Wyoming Senator John Barrasso and Williams CEO Alan Armstrong, challenges the IEA’s projections that global oil demand will peak by 2030 and that new oil and gas investments are unnecessary. The authors claim the agency underestimates demand growth in emerging markets and petrochemicals while overestimating electric vehicle adoption.

The IEA, which has guided global energy policy for over 50 years, has adjusted its focus as nations shift toward renewable energy. However, this transition has drawn backlash from the oil industry and Republican policymakers, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticized the agency’s climate policies during his campaign. The U.S., contributing a quarter of the IEA’s funding, holds significant influence over its direction.

The report argues that the IEA’s assumptions could harm global energy security and economic stability. Barrasso, who previously led a congressional report opposing the agency’s green policies, warned that the IEA risks becoming irrelevant if it continues focusing on unrealistic aspirations.

In response, the IEA dismissed the report as inaccurate and misleading, stating that its oil demand projections align with forecasts from other major organizations, including oil companies. The agency emphasized its commitment to improving energy analysis while defending its position on the global transition toward cleaner energy sources.