Energy efficiency around the world has improved under the pressure of soaring energy prices, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says in its annual report on the subject.
Seeing a “possible turning point” after years of limited progress, the IEA, created in the 1970s by the OECD to accompany the energy policies of countries, notes that “the ambition of governments in terms of efficiency has increased in 2022 at the same time as energy prices.
The agency welcomes “the implementation of extensive measures, financial commitments and public awareness campaigns”.
Overall investments, including building retrofits, public transportation, and infrastructure for electric vehicles, reached $560 billion in 2022, up 16% from 2021.
Efficiency in energy use (less energy consumed for the same service rendered) is one of the key elements on the road to carbon neutrality in 2050.
It is also “the first and best response” to the current energy crisis, fueled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Thanks to the actions taken in this area since 2000 (in the automobile, home insulation, etc.), the energy bill of IEA member countries will be reduced by some 680 billion dollars in 2022 (i.e. 15% less).
This improvement comes after two post-Covid years of very small gains in energy efficiency, with a resurgence of energy-intensive industries, limited progress in building renovation…
But today the “encouraging signs” are there, notes the IEA, with the accelerated electrification of transport (one in eight new cars is electric), or heating (nearly 3 million heat pumps sold this year in Europe alone – against 1.5 million in 2019).
Regulations for existing buildings are being tightened, others are being put in place in some emerging countries, and campaigns are increasing to encourage consumers to save energy, the agency said.
For example, “all governments in Southeast Asia” are now implementing measures to promote “efficient” air conditioning, a “vital” issue in a regional context of booming electricity demand, the IEA points out.
Elsewhere, there is the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States, the REPowerEU plan of the EU or in Japan the Green Transformation program (GX), still cites the Agency with a downside: the lack of investment in developing countries.
