This research attempts to explore the scale (trade openness), composition (export concentration) and technique effect (economic complexity) of international trade on energy use in the sample of G7 nations over the period 1970 and 2020 separately. To do that, we build up three empirical models based on the regression on population, affluence and technology approach. The analysis outcomes indicated a positive long-run link between per capita income, urbanization, trade openness, export concentration, economic complexity and energy use across the three models. The outcomes obtained from long-run estimations provide evidence that economic complexity and export concentration decreases energy consumption. Besides, empirical findings show that trade openness boosts energy use. Based on the detailed empirical research, the direction for the policy is that they should harness more strength on energy conservation by increasing the composition and technical effects of international trade. They should also focus on improving the countries’ economic freedom (trade openness) while maintaining energy consumption at a lower rate.