Set against the backdrop of the challenges that exist at the interface of energy, environment, and development, this paper presents the different perspectives on ‘peak oil’ - the point where global petroleum production will peak and then begin to decline.The scarcity of oil holds significant repercussions for hydrocarbon markets, including increased price volatility and exploration of dirtier unconventional oil. At the same time, it creates a demand for alternative sources of energy and the need to use energy effectively and efficiently. The authors strongly argue that developed countries are in a position to take a lead in the domain of clean and efficient energy use and can facilitate the developing world in transitioning towards a clean, environment-friendly, and low-carbon energy pathway. The paper lays out a range of policy and technology options that can be pursued by countries for this energy shift and transition. These include:

strengthening and scaling up of carbon taxation and cap-and-trade programmes with a prioritisation of the former
electrification of private transport
harnessing of renewable energy sources
deployment of carbon sequestration strategies.

Additionally, the paper underscores the need for further scientific research on the peak oil-climate-society dynamics and its popular dissemination.