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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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Appliances and Equipment
Standards and labelling can lift the average rate of energy efficiency improvement by two to three times
Based on global evidence from countries with Energy efficiency standards and labelling (EES&L) programmes, the average energy efficiency of new major appliances in these countries can increase two to three times the underlying rate of technology improvement. This can result in average energy reductions of 10-30% over 15 to 20 years in the stock of most regulated products across all countries.
In leading countries with strong regulations and long-running programmes which are regularly updated, the contribution could be much higher…
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Best Practices and Insights to Expand Clean Energy Access and Adoption
This report was commissioned by the European Commission to serve as a technical repository of analysis and evidence-based practices in support of the Campaign on Sustainable Lifestyles, Fairness and Access to Clean Energy Technologies. The analysis presented draws on discussions and research shared during the Widening Participation in Clean Energy workshop held in Brussels, contributions presented at the official all-member meetings of the Campaign on Sustainable Lifestyles, and the IEA’s analytical work in areas such as people-centred clean energy transitions, affordability, energy efficiency and clean energy access.This work is organised into three chapters, each corresponding…
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Electricity 2026
Global power demand growth continues to rise rapidly as the Age of Electricity gathers pace, supported by the increasing electrification of industry, transportation, and the buildings sectors. Growing consumption is also coming from some of the most dynamic segments of global economies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, and evolving technological innovations.Against this backdrop, Electricity 2026 – the IEA’s annual report on global electricity systems and markets – provides in-depth analysis of the recent trends and policy developments underpinning this new era. It includes forecasts for electricity demand, supply and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for select countries, by…
- Executive summary
- Demand
- Supply
- Grids
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+ 4 pages
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Belgium
Belgium’s energy policy is focused on transitioning to a low-carbon economy while ensuring energy security, lowering costs for consumers and increasing market competition. Belgium has made progress on these goals, notably as a global leader in offshore wind. The country is also seeing a rapid uptake of electric vehicles. However, Belgium remains reliant on fossil fuels and more aggressive policies are needed accelerate emissions reductions, especially for the industry sector.
- Overview
- Energy mix
- Emissions
- Electricity
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+ 5 pages
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The Value of Demand Flexibility
Benefits beyond balancing This policy brief, developed under the International Energy Agency’s Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) Initiative, examines the value of demand flexibility as a core component of modern electricity systems, with a strong emphasis on its role in improving energy efficiency. As electricity demand grows and power systems become more electrified, decentralised and renewable-rich, managing when and how electricity is used is increasingly as important as expanding supply.The brief sets out a clear framework for understanding demand flexibility and highlights its contribution to an efficiency-first approach to power system planning and operation. By…
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Iran
Iran has in place legislation obliging the Minister of Energy to increase the share of renewables and clean power plants to at least 5% of the country's capacity until the end of 2021.
- Overview
- Energy mix
- Emissions
- Electricity
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+ 5 pages
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Japan
Japan’s energy policy is guided by principles of energy security, economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and safety. Achieving the aim of carbon-neutrality by 2050 will require substantially accelerating the deployment of low-carbon technologies by 2030, to address regulatory and institutional barriers and further enhance competition in energy markets. It will also be important to develop different decarbonisation scenarios and to prepare for the possibility that certain low-carbon technologies, such as nuclear, might not expand as quickly as hoped. Stronger reliance on market-based instruments, such as carbon pricing, could be one policy option for Japan to cost…
- Overview
- Energy mix
- Emissions
- Electricity
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+ 5 pages
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Paraguay
Paraguay established renewable energy targets in its National Development Plan 2014–2030. The country’s goal is to reach 60% of renewable energy in total energy consumption by 2030. By the same year, Paraguay aims to reduce by 20% the share of fossil fuel within its total energy consumption.
- Overview
- Energy mix
- Emissions
- Electricity
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+ 5 pages
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China’s Official Energy Finance in Emerging and Developing Economies
Evolving institutions, instruments and implications for clean energy transitions Global energy investment exceeded USD 3.3 trillion in 2025, but capital flows remain uneven. Emerging market and developing economies (EMDE) outside China attracted just 27% of total energy investment and 18% of clean energy spending, despite accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global population and the bulk of future demand. Addressing this imbalance requires mobilising more capital from diverse sources into EMDE energy systems.China continues to play a central role in global energy investment flows because of its large domestic investments and its large external capital spending on energy. Since…
