| IEA launches European map of natural gas trade flows | |
| 23 December 2009 In its commitment to further increase gas data transparency, the IEA has just released a map of European natural gas trade flows. This map includes, for the winter season, monthly gas trade flows at each entry and exit point for participating countries. It also provides more general data on the annual gas supply-demand situation by country. To access the map, click here |
| IEA welcomes Copenhagen Accord but calls for more efforts |
| 22 December 2009 The International Energy Agency welcomes the Copenhagen Accord, which provides guidance on the next steps towards a legally-binding agreement on climate change. The Accord provides a clear environmental goal of limiting the increase in global temperature to 2o Celsius. It calls for emissions to peak as early as possible as well as a collective commitment by developed countries to financially support developing country actions in mitigation and adaptation. It also lays out the foundation for support to developing country actions, over and above their unilateral actions. The IEA estimates that developing countries will need to invest around USD 200 billion annually by 2020 to move to a less carbon-intensive energy system. The USD 100 billion pledged by developed countries is a significant contribution towards that goal. However, IEA calculations show that emission reduction pledges to date fall short of what is needed to limit the long-term concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to 450 parts per million (ppm) of CO2-equivalent, in line with a 2o C increase. The IEA has produced a blueprint to reach the 450 ppm goal in the energy sector (see World Energy Outloook 2009), and in the first half of 2010 will assess the possible gap between countries’ commitments and actions under the Copenhagen Accord and this goal. The Agency will work with all countries to ensure that best energy and climate policy practice is widely shared and can be put to work to reach a higher level of ambition at least cost for society. The IEA will continue its ground-breaking work in areas such as energy efficiency, carbon pricing through market mechanisms and other means, as well as research, development and deployment of low-carbon energy technologies. By demonstrating the effectiveness and benefits of such actions on energy security, economic performance, local environment and climate change, the IEA hopes to encourage all countries towards significant pledges on future greenhouse gas emissions that will lead to meaningful reductions. Climate policy is an integral part of the energy policy portfolio. The IEA intends to ensure coherence between environmental, economic and security goals, which is crucial to an effective climate policy response. |
| Coal mine methane in Russia: turning a liability into an asset? |
| 18 December 2009 This paper discusses coal mine methane emissions (CMM) in the Russian Federation and the potential for their productive utilisation. It highlights specific opportunities for cost-effective reductions of CMM from oil and natural gas facilities, coal mines and landfills, with the aim of improving knowledge about effective policy approaches. See paper… |
| Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Addresses IEA Day at COP 15 | |
| 17 December 2009 The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Sweden, Maud Olofsson, gave the keynote address at the IEA Day at COP 15 on 16 December. She emphasised the importance of reaching a concrete outcome at Copenhagen, and outlined the national energy policies that have led to a reduction of Sweden's CO2 emissions. The IEA Day also included presentations by IEA experts on a wide range of topics, including the World Energy Outlook 2009, energy efficiency, sectoral approaches, renewable energy policy, low-carbon energy technologies and sustainable mobility. Click here for all presentations |
| IEA Executive Director test drives Renault Electric Vehicle | |
| 16 December 2009 At the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen on 15 December, IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka met Patrick Pelata, Chief Operating Officer of Renault, to discuss Renault's plans for electric vehicles and IEA analysis on sustainable mobility and its electric vehicle tecnology roadmap. Mr Tanaka also had an opportunity to test drive Renault's electric vehicle 'Fluence' prototype through the snowy streets of Copenhagen! |
| IEA assesses climate-friendly energy technology spending gap |
| 14 December 2009 Paris, Monday 14 December: Today the IEA released a new study on research, development and demonstration (RD&D) spending needs for the low-carbon technologies being targeted by the Major Economies Forum on Energy & Climate Change. The study finds that while public RD&D investments have increased recently as a result of “green” stimulus funding, government RD&D investments will need to rise 3-10 times today’s spending levels to achieve global climate change goals. Access the report here…. |
| Copenhagen: IEA urges all governments to send a strong signal to spur new investment for clean energy | |
| 14 December 2009 At the UN climate change conference IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka presented an energy policy and technology blueprint that can deliver ambitious climate goals to be agreed in Copenhagen. Click here for press release. See Mr. Tanaka's presentation /notes See also the webcast. |
| High-level meeting in Copenhagen |
| 14 December 2009 e8, IEA and other major international organisations discuss ways of optimising the contribution of the private sector in a post-Copenhagen era. See e8 press release 9 |
| Deputy Executive Director, Ambassador Richard H. Jones participated in the ICC-WBCSD Business Day, and served as a speaker on the summary panel of experts. | |
| 11 December 2009 The ICC-WBCSD Business Day brought together over 300 decision-makers from business, governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations. While business is leading action on climate change on many fronts, attendees were further challenged to become more relevant to the international climate change debate and to offer clear products to address climate change. It was a day of intense dialogue and debate, with focus on how business can identify what needs to be scaled up or transformed, as well as an exploration of the policies and funding that are needed to make a successful impact. In photo at left, Ambassador Jones and Mr. Ignacio Galán from Iberdrola. |
| Promoting Energy Efficiency Worldwide |
| 11 December 2009 The IEA helped the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) organise an energy efficiency competition among students up to 18 years old in schools around the world. Students were asked to suggest an innovative way to improve global electrical energy efficiency by:
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| Spotlight on the UN Climate Talks in Copenhagen |
| 11 December 2009 Implementing energy efficiency is key to a sustainable energy future. At the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, IEA experts will present the results from recent studies and provide details on the necessary steps for capturing the huge potential of energy efficiency to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. IEA analysis identifies that 57% of cost-effective GHG abatement potential should come from energy efficiency. Governments around the world have committed to actively improve their energy efficiency. Moreover IEA member countries have committed to “work with government authorities at all levels within [their] countries to ensure a co-ordinated, efficient approach to promoting energy efficiency”. In light of this, the IEA assists governments by identifying emerging challenges, recommending policy priorities and assisting countries in the policy implementation process. For example, the IEA has played a central role in addressing standby power and the phase out of inefficient incandescent light bulbs. The IEA has also developed a set of 25 energy efficiency policy recommendations, which implemented globally could save 8.2GtCO2 yearly by 2030. The IEA has evaluated the level of implementation of these recommendations in IEA member countries. Renewable Energy Critical to Climate Change Mitigation: : To highlight the important role that renewable energy must play in achieving climate change mitigation objectives, the IEA will present key findings from its scenario analysis and energy technology roadmaps on the margins of the UN climate conference in Copenhagen at three separate side events: IEA Sustainable Energy Policy and Technology Day (16 December), the World Energy Outlook 2009 briefing (17 December) and the IRENA-REN21 joint event with the IEA, IEA Renewable Energy Technology Deployment Implementing Agreement, European Renewable Energy Council and Greenpeace (15 December). According to the World Energy Outlook 2009, renewable energy will be the second largest contributor -- after energy efficiency -- to the reduction of energy-related CO2 emissions in 2030, accounting for abatement of more than 3.1 Gt/yr (23% of the total CO2 reductions needed to be on the path towards stabilisation of CO2 concentration at levels to hold global long-term temperature increase to two degrees C). The increasing role of renewables will be particularly significant in the power sector. IEA experts will explain in detail what steps will be necessary to achieve full renewable potential. Energy Technology Roadmaps: The climate change negotiations have focused on creation, expansion and improvement of the global carbon market through mechanisms such as cap-and-trade and sectoral approaches. In order to achieve these climate change goals, however, a number of key low-carbon technologies -- including carbon capture and storage, sustainable biofuels, offshore wind energy, advanced solar energy, electric vehicles and fully integrated energy efficiency – need to be rapidly developed, demonstrated and commercialised. To provide strategic guidance for advancing these and other technologies, the IEA is developing a series of Energy Technology Roadmaps. Each roadmap contiains technology-specific analysis of investment needs, policy frameworks, technology development and public engagement milestones and actions that will be necessary for the technology to deliver on its low-carbon potential by 2050. This input will supplement and provide important input to negotiators at Copenhagen as they attempt to develop the optimal solution for climate and energy policies. For more information click here. Carbon Market Mechanisms in Copenhagen: The Copenhagen negotiations will address the issue of the expansion of the carbon market. The international carbon market as we know it today has triggered an impressive number of projects that lower emissions in developing countries – with credits to be used by Kyoto Protocol parties to help achieve their emission commitments. In spite of progress to date, there is wide recognition that such efforts need up-scaling if we are to stabilise climate, either through sectoral or policy-based carbon market mechanisms – this evolution will not be without challenges. The IEA and OECD provide critical analysis of these options in preparation of Copenhagen talks, in support of the Annex I Expert Group on the UNFCCC. Sectoral Approaches in Electricity: Electricity is the largest, fastest growing emitter of energy-related CO2. Urgent action is needed to curb the growth in power-related CO2 emissions in the developing world. Sectoral Approaches in Electricity documents the danger of carbon lock-in in power generation and explains how the new climate policy options for discussion in Copenhagen can address this problem – on the supply and demand side of electricity. The IEA presented its recommendations on this topic to participants in the Barcelona UNFCCC meeting. Other related links: See Sectoral Approaches webpage See also IEA at COP 15 (to be updated shortly) IEA welcomes US and Chinese CO2 targets: The IEA welcomes the recent announcements made by the US and Chinese governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions, recognising these as key steps to get a global, meaningful agreement in Copenhagen. Both of these announced targets are in line with the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2009 450 Scenario, that aims to limit the long-term concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to 450 parts per million of carbon-dioxide equivalent – in line with keeping the global temperature rise to around 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The US target of cutting greenhouse gases by 17% in 2020 versus 2005 compares with the projected CO2 reduction of 18% domestically in the WEO 450 Scenario. The Chinese intensity targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45% by 2020 versus 2005 compares with a 47% suggested improvement in the 450 Scenario. At the IEA Ministerial meeting in October, a large majority of Ministers showed their intention to take the lead, organise themselves and commit to the challenge to reach the 450 Scenario - the energy path of Green Growth. Details of the Scenario analysis and its implications on energy sector for the United States, China and other key economies, as well as required investments, were released at the UNFCCC meeting in October in Bangkok, a fundamental session in the run-up to Copenhagen, to inform negotiators on the changes needed in the energy sector (see document). The full WEO 2009 climate change analysis can be found here (Bookshop). |
| Open editorial by Fatih Birol in The Times |
| 10 December 2009 “Power generation is the key to avoiding global catastrophe” – Open editorial by Fatih Birol in The Times. Click here to read the viewpoint article. |
| World Energy Outlook 2009 US Launch at CSIS | |
| 4 December 2009 IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka, together with Deputy Executive Director Richard Jones and Chief Economist Fatih Birol (pictured here with David Pumphrey of CSIS), travelled to Washington, D.C. for a series of meetings and presentations of the World Energy Outlook 2009 from 1-4 December. More than 250 people attended the US launch of the WEO-2009 at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on 2 December. See Dr Birol's presentation here. See here |
| IEA releases Cement Sector Technology Roadmap |
| 3 December 2009 The IEA, together with the World Business Council for Sustainable Deveopment's Cement Sustainability Initiative, today released its first low-carbon technology roadmap targeting sector-specific emissions reductions. The roadmap provides an ambitious vision for emissions reductions up to 2050. The report identifies the requirement for increased R&D commitment and investment, particularly in CCS, and the need for a clear policy framework. To access the cement roadmap, click here See also Event Notice |
| IEA Executive Director Visits Canada | |
| 3 December 2009 Nobuo Tanaka made his first official visit to Ottawa, Canada, as IEA Executive Director on 3-4 December. Mr. Tanaka met with Canadian Minister of Natural Resources, Lisa Raitt, as well as representatives from Environment Canada, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He also presented the findings of the World Energy Outlook 2009 to government officials and members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. |
| IEA Meeting with Prime Minister of Hungary | |
| 2 December 2009 IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka, together with Deputy Executive Director Richard Jones and Chief Economist Fatih Birol, met with Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai and Dr. János Kóka, Chair of the Nabucco Committee of the Hungarian Parliament, in Washington, D.C. on 2 December. The group discussed gas and energy security issues, including the Nabucco and South Stream pipeline projects, as well as IEA projections from the World Energy Outlook 2009 and other analysis. |
| IEA launches technology roadmap on wind energy |
| 30 November 2009 “The IEA Wind Roadmap, the third in a series that focuses on deployment of promising low-carbon energy technologies, captures the tasks that must be addressed along the complete wind energy supply chain, from efficient energy extraction on land and offshore to reliable and cost-effective delivery to consumers. It looks towards 2050, when 12% of global electricity needs could be met by the wind. This roadmap will be available at the IEA stand at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen. Click here for wind roadmap.” |
| WEO Findings Presented at NYC Universities | |
| 30 November 2009 WEO Findings Presented at NYC Universities 30 November IEA Deputy Executive Director Richard Jones presented key findings from the World Energy Outlook 2009 at Columbia University and Fordham University in New York on Nov 30. At the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs, the audience included students and representatives from industry. The Fordham event, organised by the Business Council for International Understanding and the Graduate Business School, focused on the economic implications of carbon regulations. After Ambassador Jones finished his presentation, a discussion on carbon regulation followed with three panelists: Dr. Dominique Salvatore (Professor - Departmnet of Economics, Frodham University), Dr Jorge Rodriguez (Former Minister of Economy and Energy - Chile) and Mr Jerry Eyster (Senior Vice President, GE Energy Financial Services). See presentation. |
| IEA welcomes US and Chinese CO2 targets |
| 26 November 2009 The IEA welcomes the recent announcements made by the US and Chinese governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions, recognising these as key steps to get a global, meaningful agreement in Copenhagen. Read the full IEA Statement… |
| WEO 2009 Presented in Tokyo | |
| 25 November 2009 IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka presented the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2009 in Tokyo on 25 November to over 300 journalists, officials, policy analysts and researchers at an event convened by the Institute of Energy Economics of Japan (IEEJ) and chaired by the IEEJ’s Chairman and CEO, Masahisa Naitoh. On 26 November Mr. Tanaka presented the report at a dedicated press conference organised by the OECD Tokyo Centre. Later that day, Mr. Tanaka participated in a seminar organised by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) which attracted an audience of over 100 people and focused on the important role finance must play if the world is to move to a sustainable energy future consistent with the WEO’s 450 Scenario. See slides from this event. For more information visit worldenergyoutlook.org |
