The former prime minister, writing alongside former Italian premier Matteo Renzi, <\/a> stressed that while decarbonisation<\/a> was \u201cessential\u201d, it “cannot be pursued in isolation\u201d. They also warn that geopolitical shocks like the conflict in the Middle East<\/a> have left Europe \u201chopelessly exposed\u201d. <\/p>\n Future global leaders in energy<\/a> will be those capable of providing \u201cabundant, secure and affordable energy at scale,\u201d the pair say in the foreword to a new report from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI).<\/p>\n The warning comes after the Bank of England predicted the average household annual energy bill will rise from \u00a31,641 to close to \u00a31,900 in July and stay at that level for the rest of the year. <\/p>\n The energy crisis triggered by a prolonged conflict in the Middle East <\/a>could even plunge the UK into recession during the second half of this year, leading think tank<\/a> the National Institute of Economic and Social Research<\/a> (Niesr) has warned. <\/p>\n In their foreword, the former leaders said: \u201cEurope has led the world in climate ambition and made real progress in reducing emissions. That achievement matters. But the global centre of gravity has shifted. The future of the energy system will be determined in economies where demand is rising rapidly \u2013 and where the overriding priority is to ensure that supply keeps pace.\u201d<\/p>\n They added: \u201cFor years, the energy transition has been understood primarily as a climate challenge, one defined by targets, timelines and emissions reduction. But that framing is no longer sufficient. In a world of geopolitical instability, rising electricity demand and intensifying economic competition, energy has become a question of power in the most literal sense. <\/p>\n \u201cThe countries that succeed in the decades ahead will not simply be the ones that decarbonise fastest. They will be the ones that can deliver abundant, secure and affordable energy at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n Europe had the \u201ccapabilities to lead in this next phase\u201d, Sir Tony and Mr Renzi said, but warned that doing so would require \u201cclearer narrative, stronger political direction and a renewed focus on delivery\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cUnless Europe aligns its strategy with that reality, it risks falling behind those already shaping the energy systems, and the economic order, of the future.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2221165755.jpg\")
Former prime minister Tony Blair (AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n