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As the West pushes to decarbonize, a lack of investment in fossil fuel production and exploration threatens a supply squeeze, with alternative energy struggling to fill the gap.
Datawatch

Global energy shortage looms as investment in fossil fuels slides

Decarbonization push may cut oil output 73% by 2050 despite lack of alternatives

RYOSUKE HANAFUSA and HIDEMITSU KIBE, Nikkei staff writers | U.S.

TOKYO/DUBAI -- To achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the U.S. and Europe are cutting back on investment in oil and gas production. But it is unclear whether they can promote the adoption of renewable energy quickly enough to slow the growth in demand for fossil fuels, raising concerns over potential energy shortages.

Natural gas prices have more than tripled in Europe since the start of the year. While rich countries scramble for natural gas, which produces fewer carbon emissions than other fossil fuels, Russia is curtailing exports as it tries to cut its own reliance on coal-fired electricity.

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