As governments consider ways to revive the economy after the looming crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Wednesday (8 April) stressed the importance of including energy efficiency in stimulus programmes.
"Investment through well-designed economic recovery programmes can use the potential of energy efficiency to support the existing jobs, create new ones and boost economic activity", says the IEA in an article.
In addition, energy efficiency actions have longer-term benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, better access to energy and lower bills, the Agency adds.
According to the IEA, governments should consider three categories of energy efficiency investments: (1) energy efficiency opportunities in new and existing buildings (insulation, high-efficiency building materials, heating systems, cooling systems, etc.) ; (2) technology substitution, including 'scrappage' schemes; (3) investments in energy-efficient infrastructure such as smart grids and recharging of electric vehicles.
To read the IEA article: https://bit.ly/2REYcOP (original version in French by Damien Genicot)