2026 Global Energy Security Index Launch with Oliver McPherson-Smith
2026 Global Energy Security Index Launch with Oliver McPherson-Smith
Join the Adam Smith Institute for the launch of the 2026 Global Energy Security Index with Dr. Oliver McPherson-Smith.
From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the war in Iran, geopolitical instability has made energy security a pressing challenge for countries around the world. Here in Britain, households and businesses are currently burdened by some of the highest energy bills in the developed world. Rushed decarbonisation mandates and unyielding Net Zero targets have severely compromised grid stability, inflated consumer costs and left the nation dangerously reliant on volatile international energy markets.
Oliver will introduce and discuss the Adam Smith Institute’s Global Energy Security Index, which ranks almost every country on earth by their ability to produce or procure the energy they need for a prosperous society.
Crucially, he will lay out bold, practical, market-led solutions to enhance energy security—delivering affordable energy abundance, restoring resilience, and ensuring we can keep the lights on and homes warm.
After Oliver's talk there will be a Q&A moderated by Kathryn Porter.
Oliver McPherson-Smith is a Senior Fellow at the Adam Smith Institute. He is currently the Director of New International Ventures at Double Eagle, the leading independent oil and gas producer in the United States. In January 2026, he was appointed to the U.S. federal government’s National Petroleum Council.
Prior to joining the private sector, Dr. McPherson-Smith served as the inaugural Executive Director of the National Energy Dominance Council and Deputy Assistant to the President in the White House. He was also a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.
Kathryn Porter is an independent energy consultant. She holds a Master's degree in Physics and an MBA, and is an associate member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies executive council.
Housekeeping
Date: October 19th
Venue: Adam Smith Institute, 23 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3DJ
As always, refreshments will be provided!
Schedule:
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Arrival & Registration: Doors open for welcome drinks, light refreshments, and pre-panel networking.
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Presentation & Q&A: Keynote overview of report findings followed by a Q&A moderated by Kathryn Porter.
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Drinks Reception: Post-panel networking and drinks with speakers, authors, and fellow attendees.