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Policy report
Jun 2026
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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Policy report
Jun 2025
Designing Energy Efficiency Policies to Enhance Affordability
…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 policy…
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Fuel report
Nov 2025
Energy Efficiency 2025
Market Report Energy Efficiency 2025 is the IEA’s primary annual analysis on global energy efficiency developments, showing recent trends in energy intensity and demand, investment, employment and policy. The report provides sector-specific analysis on industry, buildings, appliances and transport and explores system-wide themes such as emissions reductions, energy security, affordability and competitiveness. This report is launched in parallel with an update to the IEA Energy Efficiency Progress Tracker, which can be accessed through the IEA website.
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Country report
Apr 2026
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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Policy report
Jun 2026
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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Commentary
25 Mar 2026
Businesses see competitive value of energy efficiency, but smaller firms struggle to access solutions
…position in global markets. Yet not all firms have the same capacity to quickly improve their energy efficiency.New analysis of the 2025 IEA Industrial Competitiveness Survey – which covered 1 000 companies across 14 countries – shows that business leaders view energy efficiency as closely linked to their competitive performance. But the survey also highlights a persistent divide: while large companies are often well positioned to capture these benefits, many that are small and medium-sized face barriers that limit their ability to invest in efficiency and compete on the same terms. Energy efficiency drives competitiveness across all sectors, with select industries…
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Energy system
Coal
…new all-time high in 2024 of around 8.8 billion tonnes, up 1.5% from 2023, as rising consumption in China, India, Indonesia and other emerging economies more than offset declines in advanced economies in Europe, North America and northeast Asia. However, several of those trends reversed in the first half of 2025 as demand declined in China and India; by contrast, coal use grew by around 10% in the United States. Even so, global coal demand is still set to increase slightly in 2025, followed by a marginal decline in 2026, bringing demand to just below 2024 levels.
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