Global Divisions Widen Over Energy Policy, IEA Chief Warns

US threatens to leave IEA over climate focus as countries scale back emissions targets

Feb. 23, 2026 at 12:15pm

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The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, has warned that global divisions over energy policy are widening, as the United States threatens to pull out of the IEA if the organization remains "infused with climate stuff" instead of focusing on energy security. This comes as the EU has diluted its 2040 emissions target and softened its combustion engine phaseout timeline, while Canada's Prime Minister is backing oil and gas amid US trade threats.

Why it matters

The growing divisions over energy policy between major economies like the US, EU, and Canada could undermine international cooperation on addressing climate change and ensuring global energy security. As countries prioritize their own economic and political interests, it becomes more difficult to reach consensus on critical energy and environmental issues.

The details

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, attending the IEA ministerial meeting in Paris, slammed the agency's net-zero emissions modeling as "ridiculous" and threatened to pull the US out of the IEA if it remains focused on climate change rather than energy security. Meanwhile, the EU has walked back some of its ambitious emissions reduction targets, and Canada's Prime Minister is doubling down on support for the country's oil and gas industry amid trade tensions with the US.

  • The IEA ministerial meeting took place in Paris in February 2026.
  • The EU diluted its 2040 emissions target last year (2025).

The players

Fatih Birol

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Chris Wright

The United States Secretary of Energy, who attended the IEA ministerial meeting in Paris and criticized the agency's focus on climate change.

International Energy Agency (IEA)

An intergovernmental organization that provides analysis and policy recommendations on global energy issues.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

The takeaway

The growing divisions between major economies over energy policy priorities, such as the balance between climate action and energy security, could undermine international cooperation and make it more difficult to address global energy and environmental challenges in a coordinated manner.