-
State of Energy Policy 2026 Energy efficiency and fuel switching regulations
More than 130 countries have energy efficiency or fuel switching regulations in place, but some were revised, delayed or withdrawn in 2025 Energy use has become more efficient around the world since 2000. Global energy intensity has improved by around 30% over the past 25 years, meaning the world uses about 30% less energy per unit of economic output today than it did in 2000, with differentiated trends by key end uses: passenger cars and air conditioners have notably seen efficiency improvements for new sales of 30% and 45%, respectively since 2005. However, the pace of improvement has slowed over…
-
Pledges to Progress 2025
An assessment of transparency of the oil and gas industry’s emissions reduction efforts At COP28, more than 50 of the world’s leading oil and gas companies launched the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC), laying out a series of ambitions to achieve net zero operational emissions by 2050. As global methane and flaring emissions continue to rise, these ambitions are more important than ever to reduce energy waste and mitigate the harmful consequences of climate change.To support accountability and transparency, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) and…
-
Ensuring a Skilled Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Workforce
This report examines employment trends, skills needs, and skills gaps across renewable energy, grids, and energy efficiency. It highlights the increased demand for skilled workers in these sectors and the need to address skilled labour shortages. The report identifies barriers which are currently hindering energy education and training. It also discusses policy measures aimed at attracting more people to the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors and providing them with the necessary training. The report includes new IEA analysis on online job postings in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and IEA modelling on energy employment from 2024 as the last…
-
Climate Change
The IEA and the UNFCCC are building consensus on actions to deliver 1.5 °C-aligned energy transitions; and supporting the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement – while deepening existing cooperation on data and capacity building. The IEA and the UNFCCC are building consensus on actions to deliver 1.5 °C-aligned energy transitions; and supporting the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement – while deepening existing cooperation on data and capacity building. The global energy system is the bedrock of modern economies and societies – providing power to everywhere we live and work…
-
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…
-
Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2026 Energy in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is becoming an increasingly important part of the global energy system. The region accounts for 9% of the world’s population and 4% of its GDP. Energy use has risen sharply since 2015, supported by industrialisation, urbanisation, rising incomes and expanding mobility needs. This growth has helped underpin economic development and wider access to modern energy, but it has also increased exposure to global fuel markets and added to emissions. The current Middle East crisis has tested Southeast Asia’s energy security and affordability, exposing the limits of short-term responses. The region was heavily exposed to Middle…
-
Advancing Methane Emissions Reductions by National Oil Companies
National oil companies (NOCs) are responsible for around half of all global oil and gas production today and their actions strongly influence methane abatement prospects. More than 30 NOCs have joined the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) and are engaging in initiatives to tackle methane emissions and flaring. There is a major opportunity for NOCs looking to implement best practices in methane management to learn from the experience of peers in order to deploy strategies that are adapted and tailored to their circumstances. Best practices include adopting measures to limit flaring and venting, implementing leak detection and repair programmes…
-
Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of a Waste Recycling System
The General Office of the State Council of China issued comprehensive guidelines in February 2024 to accelerate the construction of a waste recycling system, aiming to establish an efficient, standardised waste management and recycling framework by 2030. The policy emerges from China's commitment to resource security, carbon reduction goals, and green development transformation. It addresses the growing challenge of waste management across industrial, agricultural, and urban sectors, establishing specific targets for waste utilisation and recycling industry development.The framework sets the following targets for 2025, including: an established waste recycling system covering all fields and linkspositive progress in the…
-
Mineral Resource Reserve and Emergency Response
On 8 November 2024, China adopted a major revision to its Mineral Resources Law, originally promulgated in 1986. The revised law, which enters into force on 1 July 2025, introduces a new Chapter 5: “Mineral Resource Reserves and Emergency Response”, establishing a legal framework for a national critical mineral stockpiling system. This reform aligns with broader policy goals set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) and the Raw Material Development Plan, both of which advocate for a hybrid reserve model combining government and enterprise participation. It also complements the Rare Earth Management Regulations, which promote a dual…
-
Announcement on the Comprehensive Ban on the Import of Solid Waste
In 2020, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom), National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the General Administration of Customs (GAC) launched a policy to fully forbid the import of “solid waste” called the Announcement on the Comprehensive Ban on the Import of Solid Waste – Announcement No. 53 of 2020 . This policy was a revision of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes. This revision included prohibitions to the import of solid waste in any form from outside of the country…