The “Era of Energy Disruption” webinar examines how accelerated innovation in clean energy, AI, and geopolitics is transforming the global energy sector – and what this means for accounting professionals in the future. Led by industry leaders Gerard Reid, Shane Rogers, and Dr. Barbara Porco, they discuss the growing need for accountants to look beyond finance to include energy resilience, strategic advisory, ESG disclosure, and risk management. With energy increasingly decentralized and digitally enabled, the profession will play a pivotal part in guiding this increasingly complex and changing world.
Gerard describes major disruptors—such as climate policy, global geopolitics, and technology breakthroughs—that are compelling a shift toward rethinking traditional energy models.
Dr. Barbara Porco addresses the necessity of incorporating real-world challenges, particularly those related to AI and technological disruption, into learning curricula. She highlights how shifts in energy and technology are transforming not only school and university settings but also learning that occurs thereafter at work, and how education leaders need to consider this when planning learning.
Gerard Reid introduces the session and emphasizes responding quickly to energy disruption. He indicates that there will be a need for cross-sector collaboration and innovation to address the rapidly changing energy division.
Gerard discusses global energy transition challenges and how geopolitical unpredictability creates development obstacles. He also discusses how digital evolution is key to addressing such uncertainty and names digital technologies like data analytics, smart grids, and automation to be key enablers of adaptive and more effective energy networks. By leveraging real-time insights and predictive technologies, Gerard emphasizes the need to modernize infrastructure not only for resilience and efficiency but also to meet climate goals and evolving consumer demands.
Barbara emphasizes the growing demand for skilled professionals in the energy sector, driven by rapid technological advancements and global sustainability goals. This shift calls for a reevaluation of education, training, and upskilling approaches—grounded in lifelong learning and experiential, vocationally oriented curricula. The message is clear: for the energy transition to succeed, the workforce must evolve alongside it.
Gerard highlights the importance of bringing together industrial policy with energy policy. He emphasizes that governments should focus on creating more specific, achievable, and realistic goals.
Gerard calls for clearer, forward-looking energy policies that align public and private sector goals. The message underscores the urgency of modernizing both infrastructure and governance to keep pace with disruption.
The future of accounting in the new era of energy is all about agility, strategic vision, and the ability to positively contribute to an economy at the global level that’s resilient and sustainable.
Click here to view the whole event, including a Q&A session
