Energy Efficiency 2018

Analysis and outlooks to 2040

This report is part of Energy Efficiency

About this report

Energy efficiency can bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits. But while energy efficiency is improving around the world, its positive impact on global energy use is overwhelmed by rising economic activity across all sectors.

Energy Efficiency 2018 looks at why efficiency’s massive potential remains untapped, and through the new Efficient World Scenario explores what would happen if countries maximized all available cost-effective efficiency potential between now and 2040, highlighting what policy makers can do to realise this opportunity.

Key findings

Energy efficiency works...

The impact of efficiency policies has been significant over the last decades. Globally, efficiency gains since 2000 prevented 12% more energy use than would have otherwise been the case in 2017. Energy efficiency is a major driver for uncoupling energy consumption from economic development.

Global final energy use with and without energy efficiency, 2000-2017

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...but that's still not enough

Since 2000, these improvements in the world’s major economies have offset more than a third of the rise in energy-intensive activities. But the positive impact of efficiency policies has been overwhelmed by fast-growing economic activities in emerging countries that boost energy demand.

Decomposition of final energy use in the world's major economies, 2017

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As a result, growth in energy use is accelerating

Global energy demand rose by nearly 2% in 2017. This was the fastest rise this decade, driven by economic growth and changes in consumer behaviour.

Change in global primary energy demand, 2000-2017

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Missed opportunities

With stronger policies in place, last year the world could have saved more than:

The world is missing opportunities to improve energy efficiency and today's policies are not delivering the full potential gains that are cost-effective and use current technology. This delayed action on energy efficiency ends up locking in inefficiencies that mean much stronger action needs to be taken in the future.

2.2 million barrels of oil per day

If all countries had adopted the best passenger fuel economy standards.

16% of industry electricity use

 If all countries had adopted the strongest electric motor standards.

$20 billion

If everyone had purchased the top 10% most efficient refrigerators.

The Efficient World Scenario

So what will the world look like if between now and 2040 countries implemented all the economically viable energy efficiency potential that is available? The potential is demonstrated by the Efficient World Scenario developed by the IEA World Energy Outlook

The Efficient World Scenario (EWS) shows a world with 20% more people, 60% more building space and double the GDP, all for a marginal energy demand rise. The EWS also fully delivers the energy efficiency target of UN Sustainable Development Goal 7. All of the measures implemented in this scenario are cost-effective, based on energy savings alone, and use technologies that are readily available today.

Significant energy productivity

Under the EWS, the amount of global GDP produced for each unit of energy could double between now and 2040, for only a marginal increase in global energy demand.

Energy demand, energy intensity and GDP in the EWS, 2000-2040

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Immediate environmental benefits

The EWS would result in a peak in energy-related greenhouse gas emissions before 2020, followed by a fall by 12% in 2040 compared with today - equal to over 40% of the abatement required to be in line with Paris targets. The EWS would also cut key air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter by one third compared to today. In particular, more efficient cooking could help reduce premature deaths from household air pollution by almost 1 million per year in 2040 in comparison with the IEA New Policies Scenario (NPS).

Air pollution emissions in the EWS, 2015-2040

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Greenhouse gas emissions in the EWS and NPS, 2000-2040

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Energy savings in emerging economies

Emerging economies could become 50% less energy intensive under the EWS, with China and India accounting for one third of total energy demand in 2040. These two countries would also account for over one third of the total energy demand savings, which would translate into savings of nearly $500 billion in fossil fuel imports.

Energy demand in 2016 and 2040, EWS vs. NPS

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What will it take?

The EWS shows that energy efficiency could deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits, but only if governments take greater policy action. However, the scale up in policy action must start immediately and there are good examples of policies in all end-use sectors that can form the basis for greater action.

Transport energy demand could stay flat to 2040, despite a doubling of activity

Making this happen will require stronger and broader fuel economy standards for both cars and trucks, as well as policies for non-road transport. Incentives can support adoption of more efficient vehicles and electrification of various modes of transport, with information and capacity building to support more efficient transport choices.

We could have 60% more building space in 2040 for no additional energy use

This would require comprehensive efficiency policies, targeting new and existing buildings as well as appliances. Incentives could drive consumers to adopt high efficiency appliances and undertake deep energy retrofits, with market-based instruments encouraging innovative business models. Decision making can be supported by improved quality and availability of energy performance information.

Industry could produce nearly twice as much value per unit of energy in 2040

The majority of energy savings could come from less energy-intensive sectors like food, beverage and textile manufacturing. To realise these savings, performance standards for key industrial equipment, including electric heat pumps and motors, can be complemented by incentives to increase the adoption of energy management systems and improved information.

However to realise these opportunities, average annual energy efficiency investment must double to 2025 and then double again to 2040. Yet all investment opportunities in the EWS are highly cost-effective and would bring significant economic benefits. Policy will need to facilitate finance and business model innovation to realise this investment opportunity.

Annual energy efficiency investment in the EWS

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