The International Energy Agency stated in a report today, Wednesday, that countries need to double the pace of measures aimed at improving energy efficiency if they wish to achieve global climate goals. The agency noted that the record rise in energy costs last year helped stimulate actions such as replacing gas boilers with heat pumps and transitioning to energy-saving lighting; however, the rate of progress in energy efficiency has slowed since then.
Tomorrow, Thursday, the United Nations climate talks will commence in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first global assessment of progress since the historic Paris Agreement in 2015. It set the goal of limiting global warming to below two degrees Celsius, with an aim for a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, stated that "the world's climate ambitions depend on our ability to increase the efficiency of the global energy system." He added: "If governments want to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach while supporting energy security, it is critical to double progress in energy efficiency during this decade."
The International Energy Agency reported that investments have led to a 1.3% improvement in energy efficiency this year compared to last year, but the rate of improvement has slowed from a 2% increase in 2022. The agency stated that energy efficiency must double from this level to four percent per year to achieve climate goals.
