On Monday the International Energy Agency said firms should not develop new oil and gas fields. The Paris-based watchdog said the climate pledges made by governments to date – even if fully achieved – would fall well short of what is required to bring global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050. It said there needed to be a massive increase in spending on renewables along with changes in behaviour if the net zero target were to be met. However, industry champions say new oil and gas fields will be needed to help meet global demand for energy while alternative sources are developed.