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06 ENERGY EFFICIENCY
GLOBAL OVERVIEW
Energy efficiency i represents the opportunity to deliver more
services for the same energy input, or the same amount of services
for less energy input. 1 Conceptually, this is the reduction of losses
at each stage of energy conversion, transport, transmission and
use, from primary fuel extraction through final energy use, as well
as other active or passive measures to reduce energy demand
without diminishing the energy services delivered. Energy losses
occur during extraction, generation, transmission, distribution
and end-use in lighting, appliances, buildings, mechanical
work, transport and industry contexts. Consequently, the areas
for energy efficiency improvement and investment can occur
anywhere along the chain of energy production and use, from
primary energy to final energy required to perform the service.
The year 2015 saw an increased emphasis on energy efficiency
activities at the international, regional, national and sub-national
levels. This was due to the recognition of energy efficiency’s key role
in reducing energy-related emissions and in providing multiple
economy-wide benefits – such as enhanced energy security,
reduced fuel poverty and improved public health. By end-2015,
at least 146 countries had enacted some kind of energy efficiency
policy, while at least 128 countries had enacted one or more
energy efficiency targets. 2 ( p See Figure 42.)
Figure 42. Countries with Energy Efficiency Policies and Targets, 2015
Source: See
endnote 2
for this chapter.
06
With policies and targets
With policies, no targets
(or no data)
With targets, no policies
(or no data)
No policies/targets
or no data
2016
i Renewable energy and energy efficiency are twin pillars of a sustainable energy future. Synergies exist between the two across numerous sectors. This
means that the interaction of renewables and energy efficiency can result in an outcome greater than the sum of the parts. In recognition of the important
linkages between renewable energy and energy efficiency, this topic was introduced as an annual chapter in GSR 2015. (See Feature in GSR 2012 for more
on renewable energy–energy efficiency synergies.)
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