World Energy Outlook 2007

The results of our Alternative Policy Scenario lend support to the IPCC
estimates. The emissions savings in that scenario – which is likely to be
consistent with stabilisation of greenhouse-gas concentration at around
550 ppm (see Chapter 5) – would be achieved at a net financial benefit
(negative cost) to society (IEA, 2006). This is because the higher capital
spending by consumers to improve energy efficiency – the main contributor to
lower emissions – is more than offset by savings in their fuel bills over the
lifetime of the equipment. The payback times on these investments are
typically very short, especially where energy is priced efficiently: for example,
about two years for commercial lighting retrofits or replacing incandescent
light bulbs with compact fluorescents. These benefits are in addition to those
associated with improved energy security and lower CO 2
emissions, as well as
reduced local and regional air pollution.
In China, India and other developing countries, payback periods based on
economically efficient prices are generally shorter than in the OECD, because
there is more potential for replacing inefficient equipment. In China, for
example, paybacks range from less than one year for improved industrial motor
systems to just over three years for more efficient cars (see Chapter 11). They can
be much longer in India, where energy prices are often heavily subsidised. The
removal of electricity subsidies in India would reduce the average payback
period on a range of investments in more efficient appliances and equipment by
almost a fifth (see Chapter 18). In industry, where electricity is not subsidised,
paybacks on more efficient motor systems are already less than one year.
A particular challenge for China and India relates to policy implementation.
Policy makers recognise the need for action and have already taken high-level
decisions on policies aimed at addressing concerns related to surging energy
use, including goals on energy intensity and mandatory efficiency standards.
But these policies have not always been translated into firm action. One reason
is a shortage in both countries of skilled personnel to devise practical measures
and administer their effective implementation. In addition, there are often
conflicts between the goals and interests of the central, provincial, state and
municipal authorities. In June 2007, in response to a failure to meet energy and
pollution targets, the central government released a new plan aimed at
improving the implementation at different levels of government of measures to
save energy and curb emissions.
The need for all countries to curb the growth in fossil-energy demand, to
increase geographic and fuel-supply diversity and to mitigate greenhouse-gas
emissions is more urgent than ever. The primary scarcity facing the planet is not
of natural resources or money, but of time. The projections of the Reference and
High Growth Scenarios leave no doubt about the scale of the challenge. We do
not have the luxury of ruling out any of the options for moving the global
energy system onto a more sustainable path. The IEA has carried out a
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Chapter 6 - Energy Policy Ramifications 229