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Energy Efficiency in China’s Buildings Sector
…progress in achieving them. Regulation for new buildings in China, such as building codes, is relatively strong. However, as the rate of construction is slowing, policy priorities are shifting towards retrofitting existing buildings. Here, the IEA estimates that through strong policy action and best-in-class technology, China could reduce energy consumption by up to 65% in buildings constructed between 1995 and 2010, representing energy savings of over 8 000 Petajoules.The report includes examples from across China and the world on leading regulatory instruments, financial incentives, and information-based tools that can drive energy efficiency in the buildings sector.
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Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency for Business
Energy efficiency is often described as the “first fuel” because the cheapest and most secure energy is the energy that is not used. For businesses, this begins with a straightforward benefit: lower energy bills. In many cases, efficiency investments can pay back quickly through reduced energy costs alone. However, the value of energy efficiency extends beyond energy savings.This report builds on the IEA’s work on the multiple benefits of energy efficiency and focusses on how these gains materialise in businesses. Key benefits range from productivity and product quality improvements to brand image or health benefits for employees and…
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Gas Market Report, Q2-2026
…a significant amount of new LNG capacity that had been on track to come online in the second half of this decade. While gas producers are making efforts to increase supply, the demand side is set to play a key role in balancing the market – particularly in Asia, where fuel switching is already picking up alongside energy-saving measures.The current energy crisis highlights the need to further strengthen the architecture of global gas supply security. The International Energy Agency (IEA) continues to support this process, including through the permanent Working Party on Natural Gas and Sustainable Gases Security (GWP).
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Efficient Grid-Interactive Buildings in India
…and variable supply could jeopardise grid stability and increase system costs. EGIBs offer an important solution for optimising electricity use, reducing peak demand and enhancing system flexibility.Applying a structured framework, this report assesses India’s policy landscape and opportunities across efficiency, decarbonisation, smartness, resilience, materials and building-to-grid interaction. It concludes with recommendations for a comprehensive policy package that encompasses regulations, incentives and information. Scaling up the adoption of efficient grid-interactive buildings would enable India to align its fast-growing building stock with national climate goals and international commitments while lowering system costs and enhancing energy security.
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Household Energy Affordability: Data and Indicators
A methodological framework for national monitoring Effective policy requires robust monitoring of household energy affordability, yet no unified methodological approach currently exists. The upcoming IEA report Household Energy Affordability: Data and Indicators, to be published in July, addresses this gap. This executive summary presents its key elements, including a robust methodological framework structured around dimensions, indicators and data to support policy discussions and national monitoring efforts.
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Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit
…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 Efficiency to help governments deploy coordinated policy approaches across these three pillars. The Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit was subsequently developed to also integrate concrete, sector-specific guidance, along with best practices from around the world.Ten strategic principlesBased on the IEA’s analysis of best practices and the work of the Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency, the following…
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Best Practices and Insights to Expand Clean Energy Access and Adoption
…follow low-emissions practices and are resilient and inclusive. It draws on international evidence, including workshop discussions, IEA analysis and a wide range of global case studies, to identify key impacts and lessons learned from evidence and practice. It highlights how behaviour change is most effective when supported by coherent policy frameworks, targeted measures addressing affordability and structural changes across sectors such as buildings, transport and appliances. By identifying good practices and practical insights, the report provides guidance to support policymakers design inclusive strategies that enable sustainable lifestyles and ensure the benefits of the energy transition are shared by all.
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Household Energy Affordability
Energy is one of the top expenses for millions of households, making energy affordability an important policy concern for governments. The impacts of the global energy crisis on consumer prices have been significantly felt in household budgets. Despite coming down from their peak in 2022, prices remain elevated compared to pre-crisis levels and households continue to grapple with higher living costs.This report sets out to identify key trends that are shaping the state of energy affordability around the world today. It explores how system drivers and household energy consumption influence the makeup of energy bills and opens a…
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Renewables in District Energy
…around 600 million people worldwide, but many systems remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, exposing consumers and utilities to price volatility, supply risks and high emissions.The report provides a global overview of district energy systems, their fuel mixes, market conditions, governance models and affordability implications. It explores the growing opportunities offered by renewable and recovered heat sources, including bioenergy, geothermal, solar thermal, waste heat, large-scale heat pumps and thermal energy storage. It also sets out policy priorities for three types of markets: established systems with high renewable shares, fossil fuel-intensive networks, and emerging or untapped district energy markets.
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Overview graphic: key technology trends for EVs
…integrate well with the stable, high-voltage power supply of EV batteries. At the same time, the benefits of AI and increased computing power are not exclusive to EVs. AI‑enabled energy management systems are increasingly used to optimise hybrid vehicles, and AI techniques are accelerating the design, testing and optimisation of all vehicles.Finally, technologies enabling EV-grid integration are becoming increasingly available, allowing EVs to play a larger role in the energy system and improving their value proposition. With the rollout of smart and bidirectional charging, EV owners can reduce charging costs and, in some cases, generate revenue by participating…