Energy Efficiency and Demand
What is the role of energy efficiency and demand in clean energy transitions?
Energy-efficient technologies slow growth in energy demand and play a vital role in reducing fossil fuel consumption and emissions in all sectors of the economy. For example, more energy-efficient cars, trucks and aircraft reduce oil demand in the transport sector, more efficient steel, cement and chemical manufacturing reduces fossil fuel use in industry, and better insulation and more efficient appliances reduces the electricity and direct fossil fuel consumption of buildings.
Why does it matter for energy security?
In response to the global energy crisis, governments are revisiting energy efficiency targets and policies to reflect increased urgency in a focused effort to lower reliance on high-price fossil fuels, protect consumers from high energy bills and reduce dependency on Russian gas in Europe.
Where do we need to go?
Efficiency is the single most important measure to avoid energy demand in the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, and has been making progress in recent years. However, to get on track with that scenario, the rate of improvement in global energy intensity needs to be much higher than historical rates.
In this sector
Programmes and partnerships
The Evolution of Energy Efficiency Policy to Support Clean Energy Transitions
Using energy more efficiently has proven to be an extremely successful and cost-effective way to reduce energy demand. Highly developed and well proven policy instruments already exist to deliver increased energy efficiency, such as Ecodesign in Europe and Japan’s Top Runner. These policy tools can also support fuel switching and better demand management, helping to integrate higher volumes of variable electricity supply.
