The IEA is marking a significant milestone this week with the 20th edition of its flagship Energy Efficiency Policy Training Week at its headquarters in Paris, a programme that helps countries around the world strengthen their energy efficiency policies in order to lower energy bills, enhance energy security and reduce emissions.
Throughout the week, nearly 200 policy makers and experts from over 80 countries will join a growing community, learning from leading experts on international best practice and innovations in energy efficiency policy. The programme consists of five parallel courses on key areas for energy efficiency measures: buildings, appliances, industry, transport and evaluation methods.
The training week began with an opening high-level discussion led by IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol with senior representatives from governments, including ambassadors from Kenya, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Switzerland and Ghana. Sessions covered key energy efficiency solutions to ensure affordability, create jobs and bolster skills.
"The IEA has long championed energy efficiency as the 'first fuel', as it is not only the most secure energy resource but also among the most cost-effective measures to cut energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Dr Birol said. "This 20th edition of our Training Week marks a major milestone, as through the programme over 3,000 policy makers from all parts of the world have now been instilled with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement effective energy efficiency policies."
Over the past ten years, the training programme has directly trained government officials from over 130 countries, mostly emerging and developing economies. Government officials participating in the training have gone on to deliver more than 1,000 new policy measures in their countries, revealing the programme's major global impact. Nonetheless, the IEA's latest analysis shows that countries are not yet on track to meet the global pledge made in 2023 to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
To increase visibility on energy efficiency and support stronger progress towards the global doubling target, the IEA launched a new Energy Efficiency Progress Tracker, providing detailed insights via the most up-to-date regional indicators on energy intensity, demand and electrification levels. This complements the Agency's wider analytical support for governments, such as the IEA Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkits that are published annually. And on 12-13 June, the IEA and European Commission will co-host the IEA's 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Brussels, bringing together ministers, business leaders and industry representatives to drive stronger action on energy efficiency.
