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Energy Efficiency
…Preliminary estimates indicate that several key economies, such as India and China, are showing some indications of stronger progress compared with their average since 2019.
The rate of global improvement in energy efficiency has been largely lacklustre since 2019, averaging around 1.3% annually. That’s down significantly from the average of around 2% per year between 2010 and 2019 – and well short of the goal of 4% by 2030 that was set at COP28 in Dubai in 2023, where nearly 200 governments agreed to work together to double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
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Biofuels
Country and regional highlights
The United States Inflation Reduction Act makes USD 9.4 billion available for biofuels
Energy
Biofuel demand increased by 6% in 2022, continuing the recent pace of growth
Technology deployment
Biofuel production technology needs to diversify to sustainably take advantage of existing waste and residue feedstocks
Innovation
Technologies that can convert woody feedstocks into biofuels need to be proven at scale in the next few years
Supporting infrastructure
Policy
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International Shipping
Country and regional highlights
Advances in emissions regulations and technologies to decarbonise shipping
CO2 emissions
CO2 emissions from international shipping continued to rebound in 2022 following a dip in 2020
Energy
Scaling up low-emission fuels is the key to decarbonising international shipping
Technology deployment
Methanol-fuelled fleet increasing in near-term
Innovation
Industry continues to develop zero-emission vessels
Supporting infrastructure
Policy
International collaboration
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Gas Flaring
CO2 emissions
The volumes of natural gas flared in 2022 were around the same level as in 2010
Technology deployment
Oil producers have a range of readily available options to reduce and avoid flaring, with a number of new technologies also under development
Policy
A number of countries have introduced policies to reduce flaring
Investment
Operators that sell high-flaring assets are often passing on a problem to other operators that may be less willing, or less able, to cut down on flaring
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Hydrogen
Low-emissions hydrogen projects are set to grow strongly despite wave of cancellations and persistent challenges
Worldwide hydrogen demand increased to almost 100 million tonnes in 2024, up 2% from 2023 and in line with overall energy demand growth. The vast majority of this was met by hydrogen produced from fossil fuels without measures in place to capture associated emissions. Sectors that have traditionally used hydrogen, such as oil refining and industry, remained the biggest consumers.
The uptake of low-emissions hydrogen is not yet meeting the expectations set by industry and governments in recent years, especially in light of…
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Electrification
Country and regional highlights
Electrification gains momentum across countries and sectors
CO2 emissions
In the Net Zero by 2050 Scenario, from now to 2030 most electrification-related emission reductions occur in transport
Energy
The share of electricity in energy demand will need to increase by 4% per year to get on track with the Net Zero by 2050 Scenario
Technology deployment
New cars and new houses are the main areas for deployment of electrification technologies
Policy
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Heat Pumps
…the central technology in the global transition to secure and sustainable heating. The Future of Heat Pumps, a special report in the IEA’s World Energy Outlook series, provides an outlook for heat pumps, identifying key opportunities to accelerate their deployment. It also highlights the major barriers and policy solutions, and explores the implications of an accelerated uptake of heat pumps for energy security, consumers’ energy bills, employment and efforts to tackle climate change.
Around 10% of space heating needs globally were met by heat pumps in 2021, but the pace of installation is growing rapidly with sales at record…
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Behavioural Changes
Country and regional highlights
Governments have supported or mandated behavioural changes in buildings and on roads
CO2 emissions
Behavioural changes can quickly reduce CO2 emissions
Activity
Growth in activity is inevitable as economies develop and populations increase, but behavioural changes can help to offset these increases
Policy
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis have increased the salience of behavioural changes
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Light Industry
Country and regional highlights
Important investment programmes are being deployed to push energy efficiency and decarbonisation in light industries
CO2 emissions
While light-industry emissions have declined since 2010, a more rapid decline is needed to get on track with the NZE Scenario
Energy
The share of fossil fuel use is declining, but progress needs to accelerate
Technology deployment
Innovation
Innovation is less pressing than for heavy industry, but will still pay off
Policy
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Paper
Country and regional highlights
There is growing ambition on electrifying heat in the European paper industry
CO2 emissions
Emissions intensity has seen a decade of reductions, but further effort is needed going forward
Energy
Further energy efficiency improvements and fuel switching are needed to get on track with the Net Zero Scenario
Activity
Technology deployment
The adoption of high-temperature heat pumps combined with an increased use of low-emission fuels can reduce emissions