Energy In Transition: Sustainable Development and the Lifecycle Cost-Benefit of Energy Choices

Energy In Transition: Sustainable Development and the Life Cycle Cost-Benefit of Energy Choices

Denise Mruk Cox

Storm Energy, President

AAPG Distinguished Lecturer 2021-2022

Sustainable development is defined by the United Nations as “meeting the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainability defines a framework of economic, environmental, and social factors that need to be balanced with energy development. It is a system or lifecycle concept and not a stand-alone property. We need to understand present-day energy realities, sustainable energy development and distribution at scale, and the consequences of energy choices on the future.

Pressure to make energy more sustainable is driving financial investments, business models, and technology. Petroleum companies are addressing sustainable development with exploration and development projects and broadening into energy companies with investments in carbon capture, geothermal, and low carbon fuels. Technology and innovation are improving extractive industry…