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Energy Efficiency in China’s Buildings Sector
…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 China's buildings sector. It includes an analysis of the country’s current buildings energy efficiency policies and the data that tracks progress in achieving them. Regulation…
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Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit
The Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit is an interactive online tool that has been updated and expanded ahead of the 11th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Montreal, Canada. It aims to support governments in designing and implementing effective energy efficiency measures by combining policies across three core pillars: regulation, information and incentives. It also features a wide range of case studies, offering practical insights into the successful implementation of energy efficiency policies across diverse national and sectoral contexts.The Toolkit builds on earlier IEA work to advance energy efficiency policy. In 2022, the IEA introduced Policy Packages for Energy…
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Powering Ireland’s Energy Future
…climate, energy and socio-economic ambitions, making electricity security critical to realising progress in key areas including housing, digital infrastructure, transport and heat. Going forward, Ireland faces strategic choices on how to align its ambitions while ensuring secure electricity supply to 2035.This report assesses the outlook for Ireland’s energy security to 2035, drawing on international experience and detailed power system modelling developed with EirGrid, Ireland’s transmission system operator. The Adapted Transition Pathway illustrates how climate, energy and socio-economic goals align around the electricity system, potentially doubling demand and requiring faster infrastructure delivery and deployment of renewables…
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Designing Energy Efficiency Policies to Enhance Affordability
…identified as a key challenge. In response, this report was developed to provide practical guidance on designing energy efficiency policies that support affordability, particularly in the buildings sector.As part of this work, the IEA conducted a survey with G7 governments to better understand the obstacles they face. On the consumer side, major challenges include the landlord-tenant split incentive, high upfront costs and administrative complexity. On the supply side, governments identified skills shortages and difficulties in reaching underserved communities.The report analyses the affordability-focused energy efficiency policies of G7 countries. These include targeted financial support, simplified programme design…
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Energy System Resilience
…resilience – focuses on systems’ ability to cope with events exceeding standard planning conditions. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has worked to protect its energy sector and to increase its ability to withstand and rapidly recover from Russia’s attacks on its energy infrastructure. The report explores the lessons that Ukraine has been learning as it works to bolster system resilience and identifies measures that apply to a range of high-impact events – such as cyberattacks, physical attacks on infrastructure, extreme and severe weather, and unexpected infrastructure failures – and can in turn be adopted by policymakers and…
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Integrating Distributed Energy Resources in China
…Europe, Japan and the United States. Through cross-country comparison, the analysis identifies lessons and best practices that are relevant to China’s evolving power sector and regulatory landscape. It offers insights into the role of policy, regulation, market design, digital infrastructure and institutional frameworks in unlocking the full potential of DERs.The report provides tailored policy guidance to support Chinese decision makers in designing effective strategies for DER integration through 2030 and beyond. At the same time, it can serve as a valuable reference for Chinese and international experts working to develop coherent, forward-looking approaches to DER integration.
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Land-Use Competition between Biodiversity and Net Zero Goals
…Model (REALM), which identifies areas of overlap between renewable projects, critical mineral mining, and conservation priorities. Using Canada as a case study, this report highlights areas of potential land-use conflict and shows how the country can reach its 30% by 2030 target without significantly hindering the wind and solar development needed to achieve its net zero targets. Key points Achieving global energy, climate and biodiversity conservation targets simultaneously has significant implications for land use. At the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP28) in 2023, nearly 200 countries set a target to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. Based on…
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IEA Support to Accelerating Renewable Energy Permitting (ARPE)
…civil society and industry. Invited speakers and discussants shared their experiences and lessons learned, providing multiple applicable insights for policy makers in focus countries and beyond.This webpage contains a summary of the main findings resulting from the ARPE action, as well as the summary reports containing the main findings of each workshop. It provides examples of solutions and can inform policy-making, as well as all other stakeholders engaged in renewable energy project development.The project was funded by the European Union (EU) via the Technical Support Instrument, which is managed by the Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM…
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Jobs
…energy sector jobs are more prevalent in areas with lower unemployment rates. Energy efficiency investments also contribute to enhance the quality of jobs in other industries. Firms that invest in energy efficiency can significantly improve the quality of the working environment, with efficient lighting that provides increased visual comfort, or efficient ventilation systems that enhance air quality. By freeing up businesses’ spending through reduced energy bills, energy efficiency helps minimise cost pressures and supports employers in safeguarding jobs. Need more information? IEA (2020), World Energy Outlook Special Report - Sustainable Recovery.MICAT (2024), Empirical basis factsheet on Economic impacts – Employment effects.
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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…