IEA Cites Progress on Regulatory Reform but Sees Difficulties in the Fight Against Climate Change

The International Energy Agency (IEA) published today its review of Energy Policies of IEA Countries for 2000. The review is an indispensable source of factual information and analysis of energy policy and energy market developments in the member countries of the IEA.

It looks at the major trends in global energy markets, notably the impact of the oil-price surge in March 2000. It examines the efforts made by member countries to meet their commitments to reduce C0₂ under the Kyoto Protocol and concludes that more action will be required to achieve these targets.

Energy Policies of IEA Countries also examines the progress made by member countries in carrying out regulatory reform. It compliments members on their continued efforts but calls for further progress to achieve more open and efficient markets. It analyses their energy efficiency and R&D policies and offers a brief study on policy developments in non-member countries.

A large part of the report is devoted to in-depth reviews of the energy policies of Canada, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. Shorter reviews of the 18 other Member countries are also included. Each member country is reviewed in depth every four years.

As the Czech Republic was on the verge of formally joining the IEA as its 25th member state as Energy Policies of IEA Countries went to press, a special Addendum includes a full range of Czech energy statistics for 2000.