Global Climate Policy: IEA report confirms energy efficiency as key priority

Improvements in energy efficiency, such as for water heating and cooling, are possible at no additional cost, or could even lead to financial savings for consumers. This is the main message of the IEA report submitted to the 2008 G8 Summit on 9 July. If implemented, the proposed set of concrete policy recommendations could reduce global CO₂ emissions by 8.2 gigatonnes, or 20%, per year by 2030. This is roughly equal to twice the European total CO₂ emissions in 2005.

Savings breakdown

• Buildings: Measures in the building sector recommended by the IEA could alone deliver global savings of 1.4 Gt CO2/year by 2030. Water heating and cooling could account for up to 20% and 5% of total energy savings in 2050 in the residential sector, while in the service sector water heating could account for 16% of the savings and cooling & ventilation for 13%. Implementation of greater energy efficiency in buildings represents one of the most cost-efficient options for greenhouse gas mitigation. To achieve the ambitious targets, mandatory energy-efficiency requirements for new buildings and for the refurbishment of existing buildings, the IEA report finds.

• Transport: The report acknowledges that there is a strong need for measures that promote fuel-efficient non-engine vehicle components, such as air conditioning systems, as these are currently not well covered by regulatory systems. In addition, the IEA calls for international test procedures, allowing for an effective comparison and deployment of efficient cooling systems. Such measures, along with mobilising available fuel-efficient technologies, including engine/drivetrain improvements, aerodynamics and other energy-efficient components could cut the energy use of light-duty vehicles (cars, SUVs and small vans) by 50% against 2005 levels.

G8 leaders support IEA recommendations

Recognising the important role of energy efficiency measures, the G8 leaders’ Hokkaido communiqué on 10 July pledged maximum implementation of IEA’s 25 energy-efficiency recommendations. In their final declaration, the leaders of major industrial and developing countries confirmed that energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security.

Background

The IEA report presented to G8 leaders meeting in Toyako, Japan, is the result of three years of work. Since the initial request made by G8 leaders at the Gleneagles Summit in 2005, the IEA has conducted analysis to make concrete recommendations on achieving a competitive energy future. The results have been presented in previous G8 summits in St. Petersburg in 2006 and Heiligendamm last year.