Amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and renewed volatility in energy markets, energy security has once again become a top priority for governments. Since the oil crises of the 1970s, many more countries have installed policies and emergency response measures that can buffer the impacts of potential supply disruptions, while also taking steps to diversify their energy mixes and improve energy efficiency. At the same time, the world's energy system has grown increasingly complex and interconnected - calling for an expanded set of policy tools and updated approach to emergency preparedness, as discussed at the Summit on the Future of Energy Security in April 2025.
The IEA's Global Energy Policies Hub, first released in October 2024 and reviewed annually by IEA Members, provides a snapshot of the current state of energy policies around the world. Its latest update, published this week, features over 5 000 records for over 84 countries that collectively represent about 90% of global energy demand. This presents an opportunity to explore how the world has progressed since the IEA was founded in 1974, and to assess whether it is in a better place to withstand shocks to energy supply chains. It also allows for an assessment of the new policies countries are adopting to manage emerging risks - from cyber threats to climate resilience and the security of clean energy supply chains.
