ACEEE reacts to International Energy Agency’s Energy Efficiency 2018 Report

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently issued a statement in response to the release of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Energy Efficiency 2018 report.

“ACEEE welcomes the release of the Energy Efficiency 2018 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA),” the release said. “The report underscores efficiency’s critical role in meeting greenhouse gas reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement and highlights the disappointing news that efficiency investments have slightly decreased in the United States and China.”

The IEA report found that global energy demand increased by approximately 2 percent in 2017. ACEEE noted that this indicates a need for an increase in efficiency policies and programs in emerging and established economies.

“This is especially relevant in light of the alarming findings from the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, released earlier this month, which states that global greenhouse gas emissions must drop by 45 percent by 2030 from 2010 levels for the world to meet its Paris Agreement commitments,” ACEEE said.

ACEEE also wrote that it endorses IEA’s support for key efficiency policies, including stronger fuel economy standards for cars and trucks, appliance standards and deep building retrofits.

The organization recommended the use of its International Energy Efficiency Scorecard for policymakers, which provides a roadmap of policy options and best practices for optimizing efficiency investments and maximizing reductions in energy consumption related to buildings, transportation, and industrial sectors.

“Energy efficiency remains a vastly untapped resource despite being a proven strategy for meeting growing energy demand worldwide and a key driver of economic, social, and environmental progress,” ACEEE said.