Press Release 29 January 2008

ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICIES AROUND
THE WORLD: REVIEW AND EVALUATION

The World Energy Council (WEC) has published a new report on energy efficiency trends and policies around the world. The report produced in collaboration with ADEME (France) covers over 70 countries representing more than 80% of global energy consumption. The report was presented today by the study Chair Dr. Francois Moisan at a round table of leading media energy experts organised by the World Energy Council in London, attended among others by Jean Lemierre, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Gerald Doucet, Secretary General of the World Energy Council said:
“The enormous potential of energy efficiency improvements at all stages of energy production and use is widely recognised, but realising this potential remains a global challenge. The Kyoto Protocol objectives, and more recently, concerns about security of energy supply have enhanced the importance given to energy efficiency policies. This report provides a comprehensive and valuable source of information about energy efficiency, in particular, it identifies the policy measures, which have proven to be the most effective, and can be recommended to countries which have recently embarked on the development and implementation of energy demand management policies. The World Energy Council provides a unique forum for sharing experiences in this area”.

Francois Moisan, Director of ADEME said:
“The recent experience in the context of high energy prices should be of great interest for the design of new, efficient policies. Almost all OECD countries now implement new energy efficiency measures adapted to their own national circumstances. Non-OECD countries are implementing regulations to mitigate an accelerating increase in energy demand. The correlation between indicators and policy measures described in the WEC report represents an original approach to energy efficiency evaluation”.

Jean Lemierre, President of EBRD said:
"The EBRD's experience has demonstrated the clear, practical success of using the energy efficiency model. Energy efficiency makes business sense. It enhances the competitiveness of the companies and the countries in the EBRD region. It is the fastest way of helping to achieve energy security. And at the same time it has the added benefit of supporting the fight against climate change."

The research carried out by WEC demonstrates that in most world regions the amount of energy used per unit GDP is decreasing steadily: 1.6% p.a. on average at the world level between 1990 and 2006. The report pinpoints the most interesting experiences and identifies conclusions on weaknesses and advantages of different policies.

About WEC:
The World Energy Council (WEC) is the foremost multi-energy organisation in the world today. WEC has Member Committees in over 90 countries, including most of the largest energy producing and energy consuming countries. Established in 1923; the organisation covers all types of energy, including coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, and renewable, and is UN-accredited, non-governmental, non-commercial and non-aligned. WEC is a UKregistered charity headquartered in London. WEC Services Limited was established in 2001 as the incorporated trading subsidiary of WEC.

WEC's Mission is "To promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all.”

The entire report and executive summary are available online.

WEC Media contact:
Theresa Hedberg: hedberg@worldenergy.org
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7734 5996
Stephan Albrechtskirchinger: albrechtskirchinger@worldenergy.org
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7734 5996