Sustainable innovation vital for energy sector's future

By Diyar Guldogan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Sustainable innovation is needed for the future of energy, Sven Mollekleiv, president of the Norwegian Red Cross, said on Tuesday.

"We need oil and gas in many, many years to come. We need to also find the way to meet energy needs and we need to do it in a more sustainable way," Mollekleiv said in his address at a plenary session at the 22nd World Petroleum Congress, the largest meeting of the oil and gas industry in Istanbul, of which Anadolu Agency is the global communication partner.

Mollekleiv said there is a "huge" transition being undertaken in the energy sector with "very important" innovative solutions and initiatives.

"We need experience. We need initiatives. We need finances. We need investments. We need new solutions to establish a sustainable future," he argued.

Also addressing the session, Jean-Marc Fontaine, vice president of Total's Social Business and Societal, voiced his concern that around one billion people do not have access to energy.

He shared that innovative solutions are needed to tackle global challenges like global warming.

He also said coordination of actors, engaging with civil society and partnerships are needed for innovation and access to energy.