Birol is described by the newspaper as the world's leading energy economist. Fossil fuels such as oil and gas will simply be seen as riskier resources in the future, he believes.
"Governments around the world will review their energy strategies. Renewable energy sources and nuclear power will be greatly strengthened and we will swing even harder towards an electrified future," Birol says.
That shift will take market share away from oil and there is no turning back. The consequences for the global energy market "are permanent," he says.
"The damage is done."
What do you think?