Energy Efficiency - An International Movement - Are IEs Participating?

International Energy Agency


Energy efficiency offers a powerful and cost-effective tool for achieving a sustainable energy future. Improvements in energy efficiency can reduce the need for investment in energy infrastructure, cut fuel costs, increase competitiveness and improve consumer welfare. Environmental benefits can also be achieved by the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions and local air pollution. Energy security can also profit from improved energy efficiency by decreasing the reliance on imported fossil fuels. For these reasons, energy efficiency was one of six broad focus areas of IEA's G8 Gleneagles Programme. The IEA has published 25 policy recommendations for promoting energy efficiency that were updated and endorsed by IEA ministers in 2011. If implemented globally it is estimated that global CO2 emissions could be reduced by 7.6 gigatonnes by 2030.

The IEA promotes energy efficiency policy and technology in buildings, appliances, transport and industry, as well as end-use applications such as lighting. Our analysis identifies best-practice, highlighting the possibilities for energy efficiency improvements and policy approaches to realise the full potential of energy efficiency for our Member countries.

http://www.iea.org/subjectqueries/keyresult.asp?keyword_id=4122 (Accessed on 26.2.2012)
IEA Energy Efficiency Home Page: http://www.iea.org/efficiency/index.asp


European Commission

Reducing energy consumption and eliminating energy wastage are among the main goals of the European Union (EU). EU support for improving energy efficiency will prove decisive for competitiveness, security of supply and for meeting the commitments on climate change made under the Kyoto Protocol. There is significant potential for reducing consumption, especially in energy-intensive sectors such as construction, manufacturing, energy conversion and transport. At the end of 2006, the EU pledged to cut its annual consumption of primary energy by 20% by 2020. To achieve this goal, it is working to mobilise public opinion, decision-makers and market operators and to set minimum energy efficiency standards and rules on labelling for products, services and infrastructure.

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/index_en.htm (Accessed on 26.2.2012)


US Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Web page

India - Bureau of Energy Efficiency