17.09.2025
5 minutes of reading
In an op-ed published by La Revue de l’Énergie, Pierre-Franck Chevet, President of IFP Energies nouvelles, warns about the economic costs of inaction on climate change and highlights the strategic opportunities that the energy transition represents for Europe.
Read the full commentary (In French)
Key points
The cost of inaction
- $1,266 trillion in cumulative losses projected between 2025 and 2100 (WMO).
- Global GDP contraction of 6% in 2050 and 18% in 2100 if warming exceeds 3 °C (NGFS).
- Economic losses three times higher by 2100 with 4.8 °C warming compared to a 2 °C scenario (Nature).
Massive investment needs
- $2 trillion invested in low-carbon technologies in 2024 (IEA).
- Nearly double the fossil fuel investments.
- But $5 trillion per year would be needed by 2030 to stay below 2 °C.
A strategic opportunity for Europe
- Reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Strengthen energy security, autonomy, and resilience.
- Foster sustainable competitiveness, create jobs, and build technological leadership.