Improving Energy Efficiency
The world wastes a lot of energy. Wasted energy contributes to global warming and higher energy costs—so squeezing the most out of our energy supply saves money and has a surprising impact on our fight against global warming. We support several initiatives designed to create awareness of the impact of energy efficiency.
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
In 2007, we published the groundbreaking report, Realizing the Potential of Energy Efficiency, which looks at ways for the world’s most developed countries—specifically those in the “Group of Eight” (G8)—to reduce energy waste by bolstering energy efficiency. Doing so will lower energy costs and help the world address the effects of climate change. The report urges G8 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) to double current energy efficiency improvements—reaching a rate of 2.5 percent per year.
If extended to other major, energy-using countries, achieving this goal would contribute to holding carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere to a manageable level for the rest of the century. It would also reduce energy demand in each of the G8 countries by 20 percent by 2030—an amount equal to energy from 2,000 coal-fired power plants.
Our report also calls for G8 countries to work alongside developing countries to achieve similar results and provides options for all countries in planning energy efficiency goals.
Click here for the English version of the report. Click here for the Chinese translation.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TASK FORCE
In 2008, in partnership with Dow Chemical, we formed the International Energy Efficiency Task Force to accelerate energy efficiency improvements in key developed and developing countries to combat global climate change. The need to provide adequate, sustainable and environmentally sound supplies of energy to fuel global economic growth has created an imperative for increased energy efficiency. The Task Force will push the G8 and Plus 5 countries to take the lead and:
- Pledge to improve energy efficiency by 2.5 percent each year;
- Act to adopt national action plans to meet the goal; and
- Review progress toward meeting the goals at an annual government summit.
These goals are based on the recommendations outlined in our report, Realizing the Potential of Energy Efficiency: Targets, Policies, and Measures for G8 Countries.
Since launching the initiative, our staff has met with policy makers, academics, thought leaders and energy efficiency experts throughout the world to push for these goals. In June 2008, the G8 Energy Ministers announced the formation of the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation. This new initiative will provide a forum for sharing successful approaches to energy efficiency and realizing the vision outlined in Realizing the Potential of Energy Efficiency.
STORIES OF IMPACT
NYC Students Get Environmentally Engaged
Area of Involvement: Climate & Energy
Ever wonder if an engine could run on algae -- and if so, whether or not you could build it? Or how about that local, toxic, abandoned plot of land that you wish could be sustainably restored? Well, wonder no more, because a group of 100 New York City Public High School Students have figured out new, creative ways to address these critical environmental issues and more.
College Students Take On Climate Change
Area of Involvement: Climate & Energy
What if someone told you that your grade in the fight against climate change was a D+? You’d probably want to make some improvements, right? That's exactly what ten college students with winning ideas are doing for their on-campus climate change policies.
RESOURCES
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Facilitating an International Agreement on Climate Change: Adaptation to Climate Change
Issue Area: Climate & Energy
World leaders call for immediate action on adaptation. Report recommends structural and financial mechanisms to help those already impacted by global warming.
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2025-Fields for Food or Fuel?
Issue Area: Climate & Energy
A multi-stakeholder scenario planning initiative that brought together experts in industry, agriculture, policy, and trade to explore how the agricultural resources as raw material for both the food/feed, fuel and other non-food sectors might shape the business, societal and regulatory environment in the global context over the next 20 years.
