United Kingdom: The International Energy Agency (IEA) has stated that the Ukraine war acted as a turning point for Europe’s gas consumption, as demand reduced significantly. According to the global energy watchdog, consumption is expected to fall again this year as homes and firms embrace efficiency upgrades and heat pumps.
The IEA noted in a report that Europe’s developed economies reduced their gas use by 15 percent in 2022 after Russia cut off flows after its invasion.
“European homes and businesses reduced their gas demand by a further 9 percent in the first three-quarters of this year, which could lead to a steady reduction in gas demand in the coming years,” the IEA noted.
The report further found that about 40 percent of the savings were the result of the mild weather last winter, but the majority were generated by a rise in demand for electric heat pumps and efficiency advancements.
The IEA anticipates the same trend to emerge in the US after the Biden administration included energy efficiency upgrades in its $369 billion green stimulus package.
According to the agency, US homes and businesses are expected to cut their gas use by about 1 percent a year between 2022 and 2026.
The IEA stressed the need for better energy efficiency if global governments hoped to meet their climate targets days before the start of the COP28 climate summit in the United Arab Emirates.
Mr. Fatih Birol, the IEA’s Executive Director, commented that “the world’s climate ambitions hinge on our ability to make the global energy system much more efficient. If governments want to keep the 1.5C goal within reach while supporting energy security, doubling energy efficiency progress this decade is critical.”
“The findings of this report are a stark warning to the leaders gathering shortly at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai that they all need to commit to stronger action on efficiency and to deliver on it,” Mr. Birol added.
MOST READ | Neuroscientists argue over brain’s ability to ‘rewire’ itself
