Sweeney, executive vice president for Shell International Renewables, believes the rapid increase in demand for renewables means such energy sources could account for about one-third of total global energy demand by 2050.

The group is investing heavily in new technologies to produce second generation biofuels, thin-film solar and hydrogen.

"We are the largest distributor of biofuels worldwide, and one of the biggest investors in wind energy,"

he says.

The