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Gas Market Lessons from the 2022-2023 Energy Crisis
The 2022-2023 energy crisis tested the resilience of the global gas and LNG markets with the most severe gas supply shock in history. During the crisis, natural gas-importing markets around the world felt the pressures of record-high gas prices, including the scale-back in access to energy, the impediment to economic activity and the extra burden on government budgets. Market responses varied but governments were quick to react as the challenges of security of supply became apparent. Post-crisis, markets must continue to adapt as the effects of the crisis continue to influence security of gas supply…
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COP28 Tripling Renewable Capacity Pledge 2025: Update
Tracking countries’ ambitions COP28: Tracking the Energy Outcomes Nearly 200 countries made major collective pledges on energy at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai with the aim of keeping the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C within reach. For the first time, governments set key goals to help meet this objective, including tripling global renewable electricity capacity by the end of this decade. In June 2024, the IEA published COP28 Tripling Renewable Capacity Pledge: Tracking countries’ ambitions and identifying policies to bridge the gap, which provided a global stocktake of renewable capacity plans to assess…
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Financing Electricity Access in Africa
Access to electricity is a cornerstone for economic development, poverty reduction and social equity. However, almost 600 million people in Africa lack access to electricity today, with progress falling far behind targets set by both African governments and the international community. Reaching universal electricity access will require a rapid scale-up of investment and financing to USD 15 billion per year, enabling the expansion of generation capacity, grid networks and decentralised solutions while ensuring that progress remains inclusive and sustainable.In a new flagship report, Financing Electricity Access in Africa, the International Energy Agency (IEA) undertakes its authoritative energy analysis…
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Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency
As energy efficiency continues to gain attention as a key resource for economic and social development across all economies, understanding its real value is increasingly important. The multiple benefits approach seeks to expand the perspective of energy efficiency beyond the traditional measure of energy savings by identifying and measuring its impacts in full bloom.
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Land-Use Competition between Biodiversity and Net Zero Goals
A case study of Canada Meeting global targets for energy, climate, and biodiversity conservation has major implications for land use. To ensure that the tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030 aligns with the goal of protecting 30% of the planet’s land and water by the same date, robust mechanisms that direct solar and wind projects away from the world’s most biodiverse areas are needed. To address the potential impacts of renewable development on biodiversity, the IEA developed the Renewable Energy and Land-Use Model (REALM), which identifies areas of overlap between renewable projects, critical mineral mining, and…
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Energy and AI in East Asia
This report was commissioned by the Korea Energy Economics Institute and was carried out jointly by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Korea Energy Economics Institute. The study has three objectives in the context of East Asia. First is to explore the possibilities presented by AI for the energy sector. Second is to examine the expected increase in electricity demand by data centres, and the impact on grid planning and operation. Third is to provide policy recommendations for embracing the opportunities presented by the application of AI to energy, as well as policies for proactively managing the challenges presented by…
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Energy Efficiency in China’s Buildings Sector
Policy opportunities Over the past two decades, China has made significant strides in energy efficiency, with strong reductions in primary energy intensity across the economy and increased energy services. Much of China’s improvement has come from energy efficiency upgrades in industry and overall economic structural shifts. The buildings sector accounts for approximately 20% of its total final energy consumption and its intensity has decreased at a slower rate. There remains significant potential to unlock further energy savings through technical and policy initiatives in buildings.This report outlines opportunities for actions, targets and timelines that could improve energy efficiency in…
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Gaining an Edge
The Role of Energy Efficiency in Enhancing Competitiveness Energy efficiency delivers more than energy savings and emission reductions – it can also improve the competitiveness of countries and firms. From increased profitability to job creation, energy efficiency helps firms compete amid high costs, growing demand, and rising trade pressures. In today’s global context, energy efficiency is not only a matter of energy policy, but also of economic policy.The report analyses historical progress in industrial energy efficiency and its role in enhancing industrial competitiveness. It includes comparisons of firm-level energy efficiency, identifying performance gaps and opportunities for further improvement. Drawing…
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Indicators Handbook for Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions
Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions: Designing for Fairness The Indicators Handbook is based on the voluntary G20 Principles for Just and Inclusive Transitions, endorsed by G20 leaders in November 2024. The principles, which reflect varying perspectives, contexts and experiences, form a framework for approaching transitions that maximises benefits and mitigates the risk of unintended consequences. Designed as a technical resource, the Indicators Handbook provides guidance for governments and other stakeholders on identifying relevant indicators as a first step towards tracking policy design and implementation in line with the G20 Principles for Just and Inclusive Transitions. The Handbook…
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Lithuania 2025
Energy Policy Review Government action plays a pivotal role in ensuring secure and sustainable energy transitions. Energy policy is critical not just for the energy sector but also for meeting environmental, economic and social goals. Governments need to respond to their country’s specific needs, adapt to regional contexts and help address global challenges. In this context, the International Energy Agency (IEA) conducts Energy Policy Reviews to support governments in developing more impactful energy and climate policies.This Energy Policy Review was prepared in partnership between the Government of Lithuania and the IEA. It draws on the IEA’s extensive…
