Energy-saving measures have gained momentum around the world this year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This is mainly due to the sharp increase in oil, gas and electricity prices.
According to the IEA, energy was consumed 2% more economically than last year worldwide. Investments, for example, in insulating homes and improving public transport led to four times more savings in 2022 than in the previous year.
Over the past two years, the coronavirus pandemic has made it more difficult to make offices, homes and factories more sustainable, but the current savings rate is also much higher than before. However, according to the IEA, the current pace is too slow if we are to stop emitting CO2 on balance in 2050.
IEA Director Fatih Birol compares the situation we are in now with the oil crisis of the 1970s. Following an oil boycott by Arab countries, governments then also intervened to make cars, buildings and equipment more efficient.
“In the current energy crisis, we are once again seeing energy efficiency become a priority, which is key to addressing this crisis,” says Birol, who points out that these interventions are also important for combating climate change.
