Minister Zypries and IEA Executive Director launch new energy efficiency market report
BERLIN – Brigitte Zypries, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, and Dr Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, launched the IEA’s new Energy Efficiency 2017 market report in the German capital yesterday in the presence of government officials, international stakeholders and diplomats, and members of the German media.
In her speech, Minister Zypries described the new IEA report as "the world’s most important publication on energy efficiency." She also thanked Dr Birol for his leadership in giving priority to energy efficiency at the IEA and elevating the topic in the international energy debate.
Energy Efficiency 2017 details why more efficiency action is needed, highlighting the significant benefits to the global economy, energy system and the environment. Improvements in energy intensity have been the most significant factor in keeping global greenhouse gas emissions flat over the last three years. It also illustrates how a harmonised approach is needed to get the maximise benefits from policies to improve energy efficiency and to boost the deployment of renewables.
In presenting the report, Dr Birol highlighted the importance of energy efficiency in reining in energy demand and carbon emissions. He said that efficiency codes and standards now cover about 32% of global energy use and that global energy intensity – the energy used per unit of gross domestic product – fell by 1.8% in 2016, a sign the global economy generated more value from its energy. Improvement seen in 2016 builds on the strong progress seen since the start of the decade.
“Countries should focus on attacking the more than 68% of global energy use that is not covered by efficiency codes or standards,” Dr Birol said. “A key IEA mandate is to help countries pursue this very important goal by sharing best practices and learning from each other.”