Nine energy-efficiency policy proposals

October 17, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

Even though more and more countries are becoming involved in energy-efficiency policies, numerous factors have affected energy-efficiency progress globally, there has been a general slowdown in energy-efficiency improvements, according to research from the World Energy Council (WEC) and France's energy and environment agency, ADEME.

Shanghai. Credit: Jakub Hałun/Wikimedia Commons

The worldwide interest demonstrates that most governments are concerned about energy efficiency. According to the research, about 80 percent of the countries surveyed have quantitative efficiency targets -- up from 40 percent six years ago. Further, labels and standards for energy efficiency appliances are implemented in all OECD countries and in 90 percent of Asian countries. Regulations on energy-consuming equipment and buildings are the most common. The progress in energy efficiency over the past 20 years equated to one-third of global primary energy consumption in 2011, according to the research.

"Energy demand continues to grow, albeit largely against a slowing trajectory. However, the rate of decline in energy intensity has reduced at a much sharper rate," said Christoph Frei, secretary general, WEC. "While an uncertain investment outlook, created by the global economic crisis, explains a degree of this decline, more worrying is the growth in certain uses of energy such as household electricity and road transport. This problem is compounded by continually rising energy demand, driven by non-OECD growth where energy intensity is higher than in most OECD countries."

Most countries have significantly reduced total energy use per unit of GDP over the last three decades, the study finds, with improvements largely attributable to more efficient key end uses, such as vehicles, appliances, space heating and industrial processes. New standards, education campaigns and regulatory requirements have helped move efficiency development forward. Technology development, response to rising energy prices, and growing industry competition have also forced companies to cut energy costs.

The energy efficiency report recommends nine core policy proposals that will help to embed efficiency within the future development agenda:

Energy prices should reflect real costs of supply and thus ensure consumers get the right price signals.
Consumers need information to be able to make informed decisions.
Smart billing represents a significant potential of energy savings.
Innovative financing tools are needed to support investments by consumers.
The quality of energy-efficient equipment and services should be verified.
Regulations should be properly enforced and regularly strengthened.
Consumer behavior should be examined and addressed, especially in terms of growing reliance on ICTs.
It is necessary to monitor the trends in energy efficiency to be able to evaluate the real impact of energy-efficiency policies.
International and regional cooperation in support of energy efficiency should be enhanced.

For more:
- see this report

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/nine-energy-efficiency-policy-proposals/2013-10-17