IN A WORLD of uncertainties where it feels like all the political rules have been entirely re-written in the last year , planning for the future seems impossible . But , there are some certainties . By 2040 the world population will reach 11bn , economic and political power is shifting from the West to Asia , and technological developments have accelerated with a new pattern of digital disruption emerging .
SHAPING THE FUTURE
INTERVIEW
Mass uptake of electric vehicles will add pressure to electricity grids
IN A WORLD of uncertainties where it feels like all the political rules have been entirely re-written in the last year , planning for the future seems impossible . But , there are some certainties . By 2040 the world population will reach 11bn , economic and political power is shifting from the West to Asia , and technological developments have accelerated with a new pattern of digital disruption emerging .
These are some of the predetermined factors that Angela Wilkinson takes and mixes with all the uncertainties such as political and economic changes , to produce possible scenarios in her new role as the Senior Director for the World
Energy Council ’ s Scenarios portfolio .
Her scenarios provide an intellectual space that global energy leaders , businesses , and governments can step into and see what might happen 40 years from now - if they make a particular decision today . It ’ s a role that Wilkinson aptly describes as “ being an intellectual midwife ”.
SHAPING THE FUTURE
Being a sort of strategic , global , virtual time traveller is something that Wilkinson has plenty of experience in . Until September last year she was head of strategic foresight at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ). Previous roles have included
8 October 2017