Fuel report
Energy Efficiency 2019
The authoritative tracker of global energy efficiency trends
Energy efficiency
The first fuel of a sustainable global energy system
The IEA works with policy makers and stakeholders to scale up action on energy efficiency to mitigate climate change, improve energy security and grow economies while delivering environmental and social benefits.
Key findings
Global improvements in primary energy intensity, 2000-2018
OpenGlobal energy efficiency improvements are slowing
In 2018, primary energy intensity - an important indicator of how much energy is used by the global economy - improved by just 1.2%, the slowest rate since 2010. This was significantly slower than the 1.7% improvement in 2017 and marked the third year in a row the rate has declined.
It was also well below the average 3% improvement consistent with the IEA's Efficient World Strategy, first described in Energy Efficiency 2018.
Featured analysis
Article
Energy efficiency and digitalisation
Energy efficiency is changing, with new digital technologies enabling greater control, optimisation and analytics
Report
Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency
From “hidden fuel” to “first fuel”
Statistics report
Energy Efficiency Indicators 2019
Statistics report
Energy Technology RD&D Budgets 2020
Tracking trends in spending on research, development and demonstration
Related analysis
Flagship report
World Energy Investment 2020
The energy industry that emerges from the Covid-19 crisis will be significantly different from the one that came before
Flagship report
Global Energy Review 2020
The impacts of the Covid-19 crisis on global energy demand and CO2 emissions
Statistics report
Energy Technology RD&D Budgets 2020
Tracking trends in spending on research, development and demonstration
Commentary
How clean energy transitions can help kick-start economies
Commentary
Energy efficiency can boost economies quickly, with long-lasting benefits
Article
Energy efficiency and economic stimulus
IEA strategic considerations for policy makers
Commentary
Put clean energy at the heart of stimulus plans to counter the coronavirus crisis
Commentary
Energy efficiency is the first fuel, and demand for it needs to grow
Our work
In addition to cutting-edge analysis, the IEA also facilitates the exchange of knowledge through our training programs, workshops, and research collaborations, and works to support energy efficiency with partners and at key global fora such as the G7 and G20 and through the Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies Programme (E4).
The Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency will examine how progress on energy efficiency can be rapidly accelerated through new and stronger policy action by governments across the globe. It will develop a series of actionable recommendations that will be announced in the summer of 2020.
Learn more
Efficiency programmes at the IEA
Data collection
Related fuels and technologies
News
The Covid-19 crisis is causing the biggest fall in global energy investment in history
IEA brings together leading global figures to discuss the role of energy efficiency in Covid-19 stimulus packages
Registrations open for the IEA and Development Bank of Latin America’s Spanish-language online course on energy efficiency in buildings
Why energy efficiency is so important
Events
11 Jun 2020 15:00—16:00
Households are happy to join together and provide power flexibility for climate action
29 May 2020 14:00—16:00
Ministerial Roundtable on Mobilising Investments for Secure and Sustainable Power Systems
30 Apr 2020 16:00—17:00
The Role of Energy Efficiency in COVID Stimulus Packages
30 Jan 2020 15:00—16:00