Why is "Defining energy security only as supply" a common mistake in Global Energy Supply, Demand and Energy Security?

Why it happens: Supply chains visible. How to avoid it: Mark scheme rewards FULL definition — supply + affordable + sustainable. Source: 0460 Examiner Reports 2022-2024

Why is "Assuming countries can switch to renewables instantly" a common mistake in Global Energy Supply, Demand and Energy Security?

Why it happens: Climate urgency. How to avoid it: Transition takes decades — infrastructure, storage, grid upgrades, jobs shifts all take time. Source: 0460 Examiner Reports 2022-2024

Resource ProvisionCambridge IGCSE Geography (0460)

Global Energy Supply, Demand and Energy Security

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Global Energy Supply, Demand and Security Study Notes — Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460 (2024-2026 syllabus)

Energy demand patterns. Why some countries are secure and others vulnerable. The shift to renewables.

What you’ll learn

Mapped to the Cambridge IGCSE 0460 syllabus (2024-2026).

10.5.1 — Describe patterns of energy demand.
10.5.2 — Define energy security.
10.5.3 — Explain strategies.

Patterns of energy demand

Four key factors.

Development. Developed >> developing. USA ~80,000 kWh/person/year. India ~7,000. Ethiopia ~700.

Industrial structure. Manufacturing-heavy economies (China, Germany) use MORE energy per GDP than service economies. Switching to services lowers energy intensity.

Climate. Cold countries (Russia, Canada) need heating. Hot (Gulf states) need cooling. Temperate (UK) need less.

Population. China and India dominate absolute consumption (each ~1.4B).

Trends. Global demand rising — but slowing in OECD as economies decarbonise. Asia and Africa lead growth.

Cambridge tip. Cite specific kWh/person figures for top-band answers.

Development, industry, climate, population.
Asia drives demand growth.
OECD demand growth slowing.

See the full worked example for global energy supply, demand and energy security →

Energy security

Reliable + affordable + sustainable.

Definition. Reliable access to affordable, sustainable energy. Vulnerability = supply disruption, price spike.

Threats. 1973 OPEC oil embargo crippled OECD. 2022 Russia-Ukraine war shut Russian gas to Europe.

Strategies.

Diversify sources. Mix coal, gas, nuclear, renewables. Reduce single-point dependence.
Diversify suppliers. Buy from multiple countries.
Domestic production. UK North Sea oil; US shale; renewables.
Strategic reserves. Government stockpiles.
Efficiency. Reduce demand via insulation, efficient appliances, public transport.

Cambridge tip. Mark scheme rewards both supply AND demand-side strategies.

Reliable + affordable + sustainable.
Diversify sources + suppliers.
Domestic production + strategic reserves.
Efficiency cuts demand.

See the full worked example for global energy supply, demand and energy security →

Energy transition

Toward renewables.

Drivers.

Climate policy. Paris Agreement, net-zero targets.
Falling costs. Solar -90% (2010-2023). Wind also fell sharply.
Energy security. Renewables reduce import dependence.
Air quality. China cities; Delhi.

Current state. Renewables ~30% of electricity generation globally. Fossil fuels still dominate transport and heat.

Challenges. Storage (batteries, pumped hydro). Grid upgrades. Skilled workforce. Phasing out fossil-fuel jobs equitably.

Country examples.

Norway: ~98% hydro electricity.
Iceland: ~85% geothermal + hydro.
Denmark: ~50% wind.
China: Largest renewable capacity additions globally.

Cambridge tip. Quote country-specific renewable % for top-band answers.

Climate + cost + security drive transition.
Renewables ~30% of electricity.
Storage and grid upgrades needed.

See the full worked example for global energy supply, demand and energy security →

How it’s examined

Energy security highly tested on Paper 2. Most-tested: demand patterns (8 marks), security strategies (8 marks), transition (6 marks).

Sources: Cambridge IGCSE Geography 0460 syllabus (2024-2026); 0460 Examiner Reports 2022-2024; 0460/22 May/Jun 2024 question paper and mark scheme. Last reviewed 2026-05-10.

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Step-by-step worked examples — Global Energy Supply, Demand and Energy Security

Step-by-step solutions to past-paper-style questions on global energy supply, demand and energy security, written exactly the way a tutor would explain them at the board.

1Patterns of energy demand (8 marks)
Extended• Adapted from 0460/22 May/Jun 2024• energy demand
Question
Explain FOUR reasons why energy demand varies between countries. (8 marks)
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Level of development (2 marks). Developed countries consume much more per capita — USA ~80,000 kWh/person, India ~7,000 kWh/person, Ethiopia ~700.
2. Step 2
  Industrial structure (2 marks). Manufacturing-heavy economies (China, Germany) need more energy than service economies of similar GDP.
3. Step 3
  Climate (2 marks). Cold countries need heating (Russia, Canada); hot countries need cooling (Gulf states); temperate countries less.
4. Step 4
  Population (2 marks). Larger populations need more total energy. China and India top absolute consumers.
5. Step 5
  Bonus. Lifestyle (car-dependent vs transit), efficiency policies, urbanisation.
Answer
Development + industry + climate + population. All combine to determine demand.
2Energy security (8 marks)
Extended• energy security
Question
Define energy security. Explain THREE strategies a country can use to improve it. (8 marks)
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Definition (2 marks). Reliable access to affordable, sustainable energy. Vulnerability = supply disruptions, price spikes.
2. Step 2
  Strategy 1 — diversification (2 marks). Use mix of energy sources and suppliers. Reduces single-point failure. Germany cut Russian gas dependence post-2022.
3. Step 3
  Strategy 2 — domestic production (2 marks). Develop own resources. UK North Sea oil/gas; US shale revolution; investment in wind/solar.
4. Step 4
  Strategy 3 — efficiency (2 marks). Cut demand through insulation, efficient appliances, public transport. Reduces overall need.
Answer
Energy security = reliable affordable supply. Diversification + domestic production + efficiency.
Examiner tip
Top-band candidates reference SPECIFIC events — 1970s oil crisis, 2022 Russia-Ukraine gas shock.
3Shifting energy mix (6 marks)
Extended• energy transition
Question
Explain THREE drivers of the global shift towards renewable energy. (6 marks)
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Climate policy (2 marks). Paris Agreement; net-zero commitments. Pricing carbon via taxes / emissions trading.
2. Step 2
  Falling costs (2 marks). Solar cost fell ~90% 2010-2023. Wind also fell sharply. Now cheaper than coal in many markets.
3. Step 3
  Energy security (2 marks). Renewables reduce import dependence. Especially relevant post-2022 Russia-Ukraine gas shock.
4. Step 4
  Bonus. Air-quality benefits (China cities); public preference; investor pressure.
Answer
Climate policy + cost + security all driving the shift. Cost is now the biggest factor in many markets.

Key Definitions and Keywords — Global Energy Supply, Demand and Energy Security

Definitions to memorise and the exact keywords mark schemes credit for global energy supply, demand and energy security answers — sharpened from recent examiner reports for the 2026 0460 sitting.

Energy security
Examiner keyword
Reliable access to affordable and sustainable energy. Less vulnerability to supply disruptions or price spikes.
Energy mix
Examiner keyword
Proportions of different energy sources in a country's supply (e.g. 50% coal, 20% gas, 30% renewables).
Energy transition
Examiner keyword
Ongoing shift from fossil-fuel-based to low-carbon energy systems.
OPEC
Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Coordinates oil prices and production. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, UAE, others.
Net zero
Greenhouse gas emissions balanced by removals. Many countries target net-zero by 2050.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions — Global Energy Supply, Demand and Energy Security

The traps other students keep falling into on global energy supply, demand and energy security questions — taken from recent Cambridge IGCSE 0460 examiner reports and mark schemes — and how to avoid them.

✕Defining energy security only as supply
0460 Examiner Reports 2022-2024
Why it happens
Supply chains visible.
How to avoid it
Mark scheme rewards FULL definition — supply + affordable + sustainable.
✕Assuming countries can switch to renewables instantly
0460 Examiner Reports 2022-2024
Why it happens
Climate urgency.
How to avoid it
Transition takes decades — infrastructure, storage, grid upgrades, jobs shifts all take time.

Practice questions

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Global Energy Supply, Demand and Energy Security

Short Study Notes in the form of Slides

Detailed Study Notes

What you’ll learn

How it’s examined

1Patterns of energy demand (8 marks)

2Energy security (8 marks)

3Shifting energy mix (6 marks)

Energy security

Energy mix

Energy transition

OPEC

Net zero

✕Defining energy security only as supply

✕Assuming countries can switch to renewables instantly

Practice questions

Past paper style quiz

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