The document discusses the impacts of COVID-19 on energy demand and emissions. It found that lockdown measures led to unprecedented falls in energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. However, emissions could be further reduced through investments in energy efficiency. The International Energy Agency proposes a sustainable recovery plan focusing on energy efficiency, renewables, electric vehicles, and other clean technologies to stimulate economies while reducing emissions. Energy efficiency projects create many jobs and bring savings to households, industry and through reduced energy imports.

1. Page 1
Energy Efficiency in the time of COVID-19
Brian Motherway
November 2020
@BrianRMotherway

2. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 2
A world in lockdown
Stringency of containment measures is increasing again in several countries and cities.
Source: Oxford Blavatnik School of Government
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
Chile France Spain India United States Indonesia
Stringency index of containment measures, 2020

3. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 3
Many new patterns of mobility
Significant difference in terms of the recovery of urban mobility across cities.
Source: Citymapper mobility index
% of city moving compared to
usual

4. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 4
Impact on electricity demand
Year-on-year change in weekly electricity demand, weather corrected, in selected countries, 2020

5. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 5
What is next for energy and emissions?
2020 sees an unprecedented fall in energy-related GHG emissions.
Energy-sector GHG emissions
Gt CO2-eq
30
32
34
36
38
40
2005 2010 2015 2020 2023

6. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 6
Energy systems can shift towards structurally cleaner ones
The plan would make 2019 the definitive peak in global emissions, reducing GHG emissions by 4.5 billion tonnes and
putting them on a path towards achieving long-term climate goals, including the Paris Agreement.
Energy-sector GHG emissions
Without a sustainable
recovery
With a sustainable
recovery
Gt CO2-eq
30
32
34
36
38
40
2005 2010 2015 2020 2023

7. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 7
IEA plan for a Sustainable Recovery
The Sustainable Recovery Plan provides an integrated approach to support economic recovery and jobs while
improving the resiliency & sustainability of the energy system
0 100 200
Batteries, hydrogen, CCUS and SMRs…
Wind and solar PV…
End-use renewables
Nuclear and hydro
Networks…
Biofuels
Methane reductions
New electric vehicles…
Long-distance transport
Urban infrastructure
Buildings efficiency
Industry energy efficiency
New efficient cars
Appliances
Material efficiency
Clean cooking
Billion dollars (2019)
Efficiency Fuels and networks
Generation Innovation
Transport and urban infrastructure Clean cooking
Average annual spending by category and measure
36%
13%
28%
4%
18%
1%
Share of spending by category

8. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 8
Energy efficiency is a job-creating machine
Efficiency creates many jobs per unit of investment, and can be mobilised quickly.
Jobs created per million dollars of capital investment
5 10 15
New grids
Existing grids
New hydro
New nuclear
Wind power
Solar PV
Unabated coal-fired power
Unabated gas-fired power
Hydrogen production
CCUS
Reduce methane emissions
Urban transport infrastructure
High-speed rail
Buildings efficiency retrofit
Efficient new buildings
Industry efficiency
Construction
Manufacturing
Total
Jobs per million dollars
Per million dollars of capital investment

9. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 9
Efficiency brings benefits to all levels of the economy
The world can double its efficiency in the next two decades using technologies that are already cost-effective
USD 700 billion
Avoided energy
imports in the EU,
China and India
USD 600 billion
Avoided energy
expenditure in
industry
USD 550 billion
Avoided household
energy spending

10. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 10
IEA providing insights on energy efficiency and sustainable recovery
https://www.iea.org/topics/covid-19

11. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 11
Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency
Established in 2019, the Commission is an independent body comprising 23 members,
including national leaders, ministers, top business executives and global thought leaders.

12. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 12
Recommendations at a glance
1. Prioritise cross-cutting energy efficiency action for its
economic, social and environmental benefits
2. Act to unlock efficiency's job creation potential
3. Create greater demand for energy efficiency solutions
4. Focus on finance in the wider context of scaling up action
5. Leverage digital innovation to enhance system-wide efficiency
6. The public sector should lead by example
7. Engage all parts of society
8. Leverage behavioural insights for more effective policy
9. Strengthen international collaboration
10. Raise global energy efficiency ambition

13. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 13
The digital transformation of the energy system
Digital technologies enable a multi-directional and highly integrated energy system
placing cities in the forefront of decarbonising our societies as a whole

14. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 14
IEA Energy Efficiency Programmes
• Tracking global energy efficiency trends
• Country and/or regional specific analysis
• Capacity building training and courses
• Knowledge sharing workshops

15. IEA 2020. All rights reserved. Page 15
energy.efficiency@iea.org
@BrianRMotherway