New report to highlight alarming slowdown in energy efficiency improvements
11 September 2013, London – The World Energy Council (WEC) will today highlight the reality that more still needs to be done to unlock the potential of energy efficiency to deliver energy and carbon savings.
This message comes from the findings of a report to be published next month by the WEC and ADEME, the French environment agency.
Dr Christoph Frei, WEC Secretary General, says: “Over recent years there has been a general slowdown in energy efficiency improvements. The main concern is that absolute energy demand is still growing, driven by rapid non-OECD economic growth.”
The report, “World Energy Perspectives: Energy Efficiency Policies”, reviews the latest energy intensity trends and analyses the policies in 85 countries representing more than 95% of global consumption. It finds that since 1990 energy productivity improvements have helped avoid 9.6 gigatonnes of CO2emissions.
Dr François Moisan, Executive Director of Strategy at ADEME and Chair of the report, says: “The report finds that energy efficiency improvements over the last 20 years have resulted in significant energy savings. In 2011 these savings were equivalent to one-third of the global primary energy consumption.
“This is thanks to the energy efficiency policies and measures implemented in OECD countries, and which have spread to many others,” Dr Moisan adds.
Dr Frei comments: “While the progress highlighted in this report is encouraging, it is clearly not enough. We will need to develop new policies and strategies to meet the challenge of securing tomorrow’s energy today.”
WEC and ADEME will release the report next month, with its findings informing discussions at the World Energy Congress in Korea (13 to 17 October). The report’s key findings will be highlighted in a speech today at the Swiss Energy and Climate Summit in Bern.
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Media enquiries:
World Energy Council
Monique Tsang / tsang@worldenergy.org / +44 20 3214 0616
About the World Energy Council
The World Energy Council (WEC) is the principal impartial network of leaders and practitioners promoting an affordable, stable and environmentally sensitive energy system for the greatest benefit of all. Formed in 1923, WEC is the UN-accredited global energy body, representing the entire energy spectrum, with more than 3000 member organizations located in over 90 countries and drawn from governments, private and state corporations, academia, NGOs and energy-related stakeholders. WEC informs global, regional and national energy strategies by hosting high-level events, publishing authoritative studies and working through its extensive member network to facilitate the energy policy dialogue.
Further details at www.worldenergy.org and @WECouncil
About ADEME
The Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie [Agency for Environment and Energy Management] (ADEME) is involved in the implementation of public policies in the areas of environment, energy and sustainable development. To help environmental progress, the agency provides businesses, local communities, governments and the general public, with expert assessment and advice. It also helps to finance projects, from research to implementation, in the following areas: waste management, soil conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy, air quality and the fight against noise.
ADEME is a public institution under the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. www.ademe.fr
About the World Energy Congress
The World Energy Congress is the triennial flagship event of the World Energy Council. The Congress has gained recognition since the first event in 1924 as the premier global forum for leaders and thinkers to debate solutions to energy issues. In addition to the discussions, the Congress provides an opportunity for executives to display their technologies and explore business opportunities. With the upcoming Congress in Daegu, Korea, the event will have been held in 20 major cities around the world since its founding.
Further details at www.daegu2013.kr and @WECongress
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