Blair urges evidence-based energy policy at Bangkok summit

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has delivered a strong defence of the continued role of oil and gas in the global energy mix, speaking at the Gastech conference in Bangkok. He argued that society must adopt practical solutions to current challenges rather than allowing political sentiment to dictate strategy. Blair contended that fossil fuels will remain essential for a significant period, even if international climate targets are met, and criticised the tendency to stigmatise those working in the sector.

Blair emphasised that governments should prioritise policy over politics, asserting that the correct approach is to determine the right answer through evidence and then shape political narratives around it. He described the current focus on politics first as a disaster. Drawing a parallel to national defence, he stated that energy security is of paramount importance to any country. He further noted that there is a challenge to democracy in finding leaders capable of making long-term strategic decisions, suggesting that the public generally prefers such a view over short-term political manoeuvring.

Addressing the issues of high debt and low growth in the United Kingdom and other nations, Blair called for a return to evidence-based policymaking. He urged policymakers to start from reality rather than yielding to the pressures of political activists. He specifically highlighted nuclear power as an area where environmental opposition has had a negative impact, citing a study from the Tony Blair Institute which indicated that the move away from nuclear energy resulted in higher emissions. He warned that it would be a significant mistake for governments to base decisions on campaigning interests, even as the world transitions to different energy forms in the long term.

Blair also pointed to technology as a key enabler for energy policy, noting its potential to provide solutions and massively optimise power grids. He cited Thailand’s support for domestic solar energy, which feeds power back into the grid, as a positive example. Finally, he described the advent of artificial intelligence as a revolution that may prove more significant than the Industrial Revolution, stating that it will change everything.