One of the priorities in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development is the transition to clean and sustainable energy. Energy efficiency stands out as one of the fastest and most cost-effective options to reduce emissions, in addition to strengthening the energy security of countries. In this context, ECLAC, with the support of French Cooperation, is working on a study called “Energy efficiency in the sustainable and inclusive transition of Latin America and the Caribbean: Progress and policies”, which can be downloaded in its preliminary version in the document attached to this news. The document analyzes the progress of the region between the 1990s and 2020 through energy efficiency indicators, both regional and national, and by economic sectors, as well as the economic dynamics of energy efficiency and lessons and public policy instruments.
Energy efficiency seeks to reduce energy use by providing an equivalent service. Under this definition, the study reveals that the region managed to improve energy efficiency from 97.5 kgep (kilograms of oil equivalent) per thousand dollars of GDP to 86.8 kgep in 2022 since 1990. However, despite the positive results of the entire region, the decreases in efficiency are smaller than the world average, being found only above Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia and North Africa.
The Caribbean is the subregion with the lowest energy intensity, while the Andean Zone and the Southern Cone show the highest intensities. Under a sectoral analysis, the transport sector has registered the most significant decreases through technological improvements, although the rest of the sectors, such as mining and industry -among others- have seen increases in their intensity.
The study also addresses public policy instruments used by countries in the region to promote energy efficiency. These instruments are organized into (1) laws and regulations, (2) economic instruments, (3) public planning and management, and (4) financing and support. Successful examples are highlighted, such as: energy management of large consumers (Chile), building standards (Mexico), support for MSMEs (Uruguay), and energy efficiency programs (Brazil).
The publication was developed as part of ECLAC’s technical assistance products and was funded by French Cooperation. In this news item you can download the working document, which will be processed and published shortly.
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