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Autonomous vehicles
…Level 2 systems in private passenger cars today allow for hands-free navigation on autopilot (Level 2+). People’s Republic of China (hereafter, “China”) and the United States are adopting these systems most quickly; 10% and 6%, respectively, of cars sold in 2025 in these countries were equipped with Level 2+ technology. In the United States, Level 2+ ADAS are either sold as premium features or via software subscription services, whereas in China they are often included in base models. With these systems, drivers are still required to be ready to instantly take full control over the vehicle whenever requested.Applications of…
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Affordability
…the energy savings of efficiency measures can be initially lower than expected. In India, time-saving appliance ownership, such as of washing machines or refrigerators, is associated with a 15% increase of employment among women and an increased school attendance by older children.As people gain access to electricity, they acquire new equipment, often starting with light bulbs, followed by televisions, and finally fans, particularly in hot locations. As available power increases and electricity becomes more reliable, refrigerators are installed as well. For many products, such as refrigerators, highly efficient models use less than half of the energy of inefficient…
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Economic growth
…impact of energy efficiency policies on macroeconomic performance still needs to be better understood and systematically measured, studies have highlighted some economic benefits:Growth in economic activityVarious studies have modelled the impact of select energy efficiency policies on economic activity and found a positive correlation. In Canada, an analysis of the country’s policy package at the time found that every USD 1 spent on energy efficiency programmes would generate between USD 4 and USD 7 in GDP between 2017 and 2030. In the United States, a study funded by the Department of Energy estimated that doubling energy productivity could…
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Designing Energy Efficiency Policies to Enhance Affordability
…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, strong local delivery models, and better integration with workforce development. Embedding affordability into energy efficiency…
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Prospects for Natural Gas Certification
…from North America. As certification continues to evolve, opportunities remain to improve consistency, transparency and coverage across the full supply chain. To support further progress, the report outlines potential policy actions for governments to consider –such as international collaboration on harmonisation, setting minimum standards for certification, and exploring ways in which certification could complement emerging regulatory and market frameworks.While not a standalone solution, certification can enhance transparency and performance on GHG emissions across natural gas supply chains. This can support broader efforts to reduce emissions and strengthen energy security by improving accountability and easing comparability across different supply chains.
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Gas Market Report, Q3-2025
…fall amid weaker natural gas demand and strong competition from Europe for flexible LNG cargoes. Geopolitical tensions have continued to fuel price volatility, while adding to the unusually wide range of uncertainties that could affect this report’s short-term forecasts. The conflict between Israel and Iran highlighted the Middle East’s important role in energy security and served as a stark reminder that geopolitical tensions can easily distort a still-fragile global gas balance. This report includes a special section on the Middle East. Meanwhile, global LNG supply growth is set to accelerate in 2026 to its fastest pace…
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Critical Mineral Traceability for Energy and Economic Security
Amid rising risks linked to the high concentration of critical mineral supply chains, the ability to track where minerals originate, how they move through supply chains, who has custody of them and how they are transformed is increasingly important for policymakers seeking to create diversified and responsible supply chains.This report provides insights from a first-of-its kind survey on traceability conducted by the IEA and OECD. More than 80 respondent companies active across supply chains of the six focus minerals (copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements) provided results between October and December 2025. Drawing on…
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Gas Market Report, Q1-2026
…Although the LNG supply growth is reducing market tightness, geopolitical tensions and weather impacts may still cause price volatility. Close international co-operation between responsible producers and consumers remains important to reinforce the architecture for secure global gas supplies. The International Energy Agency (IEA) continues to support this process, including through the permanent Working Party on Natural Gas and Sustainable Gases Security (GWP), established in late 2024.This edition of the quarterly Gas Market Report provides a thorough review of market developments in 2025 and an outlook for 2026. The report includes a section dedicated to key policies undertaken in…
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Health
…energy retrofits led to a 81% reduction in self-reported illness among households. Meanwhile, the evaluation of the Warm Up New Zealand Programme concluded that 90% of all benefits are health-related, with hospital admissions for respiratory conditions dropping by 43%, saving the country over USD 1 billion in health costs. In Ireland, in an analysis of the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme, participants report that the improved efficiency of their homes reduced the number of doctor visits by 50% and lowered hospital admissions by 40%.In addition to physical health, energy efficiency can also lead to improvements to mental health…
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Gas Market Report, Q2-2026
This edition of the IEA's quarterly Gas Market Report provides a comprehensive review of developments during the 2025/26 heating season and a special spotlight on the effects of the war in the Middle East on international gas markets. Amid the major supply shock caused by the disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on regional energy infrastructure, it examines the conflict’s implications for gas supply and demand at both the regional and global levels. The report also analyses the consequences for storage, shipping and prices – providing critical insights on evolving market trends.The loss of nearly…
