Birol stated that the shortages, which have triggered the cost of resources such as oil and electricity, have not reached their most serious level, and asserted that the world has never witnessed an energy crisis so important in terms of depth and complexity.

At an energy forum held in Australia, the head of the IEA, explained that Russia was the world’s leading exporter of oil and natural gas, as well as a key player in the raw materials market, which is why the modifications to the dynamic (namely, the Western sanctions) generated increases in prices.

According to Birol, rising energy costs are making it more difficult to fill gas tanks, heat homes and start industries around the world, triggering inflation and leading to social unrest.

He estimated that the problems of oil supply could accelerate the policies of transition to cleaner energies, while Europe struggles to guarantee supply for its populations as 2022 progresses and winter approaches in a continent in which fuel supplied by Russia is essential.

Birol warned that this winter in Europe will be very harsh, which is of great concern and may have serious consequences for the world economy

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