IEA hosts seventh energy efficiency training week for emerging economies

The International Energy Agency kicked-off its seventh Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies Training Week (EETW) on Monday, bringing together more than 100 participants from 40 countries. Over 800 participants have taken part in EETW events since 2016.

The five-day event, which is being held in Paris, highlights the critical role that energy efficiency plays in addressing growing energy demand in emerging economies. The overarching aim of the event is to equip energy efficiency policymakers with the knowledge and skills to be more effective in their roles.

The training week started off with opening remarks by Dr Fatih Birol, the IEA’s Executive Director, who insisted on the importance of the EU Efficiency First principle and spoke about the need to train policymakers in order to build institutional capacity.

Dr Birol also reminded participants of the existence of critical policy blind spots, including energy efficiency for space cooling, which is be the subject of a new IEA report, the Future of Cooling, released tomorrow.

Other speakers included His Excellency Mr Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the Ambassador of India to France, Ms Monica Aspe, the Ambassador of Mexico to the OECD, and Mr Klavs A. Holm, the Ambassador of Denmark to the OECD.

Over the next four days, training week participants will take part in interactive and comprehensive courses on buildings, lighting, appliances and equipment or industry and transport.

Upon completion, participants will become part of an international energy efficiency community, as they are invited to join the IEA E4 Online Community. This recently launched secure online platform aims to give alumni of the E4 training weeks a way to stay in touch, share best practice and build upon their training experience.

The IEA will host another Energy Efficiency Training Week for Southeast Asia in Jakarta from 16 to 20 July. Applications are currently open.