Energy efficiency is a foundation of any good energy policy; the economic, security and environmental benefits of energy efficiency have been recognised for decades. This paper explores energy efficiency policy insights derived from survey work in developing countries in 119 projects across nine manufacturing sub-sectors: automative/autoparts, cement/ceramics, chemicals, equipment manufacturing, food and beverages, metal, paper, textile, and other sub-sectors. The paper utilises financial return calculations to highlight gaps and opportunities for meeting the potential of energy efficiency projects in the manufacturing sector. It finds a generally high level of internal rates of return at a project level, but notes that these metrics do not always appropriately influence corporate decision-making.

Compared to the global average and other emerging countries, India’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and income per capita remain low. Nevertheless, this working paper shows that India is making important efforts to decouple energy consumption and GHG emissions from growth, pushed in particular by the challenges of energy security and poverty. The paper details the mechanisms of two innovative, market-based support schemes: Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) to enhance flexibility and improve the efficiency of Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO); and Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT), an energy savings market, to improve energy efficiency in the Indian industry, which is characterised by a big diversity in energy performances.

China's national energy and carbon intensity targets are well known, as are the central government’s commitments to low carbon development. The recent low-carbon policy developments in China have relied primarily on Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) defined by the central government. However, this working paper argues that the provincial and local levels are key, both in the implementation of the national strategy and in the design of sub-national policies. The paper reviews some of the provincial and local experiments in low carbon development, calls for more diversity in the design of sub-national policies to better reflect local circumstances and makes concrete policy recommendations for better coordination between the sub-national and national levels.

Climate-economics models often assume that middle-income countries' per capita incomes will catch up with those of today's high income countries, while low-income countries will lag behind. This choice underrates the least developed countries' chance to escape poverty. The consequences in terms of the resulting policy advice are stark: assumed slow growth for the poorest countries means lower projected business-as-usual emissions and, as a consequence, much weaker emissions reduction goals. But what if low-income countries grow more quickly, as China and India have? This article reviews current practices in modelling income growth in integrated assessment models of climate and economy, provides an illustration of the impact that more optimistic economic development expectations would have on emissions mitigation targets, discusses different policy options and concludes with recommendations for integrated assessment modellers.

This study examines how energy needs for human and economic development can be met in a way that is compatible with long-term sustainable development at the global scale. It pulls together insights from global energy and sustainability scenarios, case studies of socio-technical transformation of energy systems on both the supply and demand sides, and reviews of policy mechanisms and governance frameworks. The report argues that there is a need for transparency in how climate finance and Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) commitments contribute to investment in sustainable energy for all, particularly in developing countries. It also calls for a shared global development agenda in which energy goals are set as sustainable development goals.

This review by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) of the World Bank highlights results and outcomes of ESMAP projects and activities implemented since July 2008. It divides the 220 ESMAP activities under review into four themes: energy assessments and strategy programme; energy access; energy efficiency; clean energy. The review also describes ESMAP contributions to government policies and its role in enhancing national capacity, introducing new solutions and disseminating knowledge.

This study on energy smart food production by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) stresses that agriculture's dependence on fossil fuels is undermining efforts to build a more sustainable world economy. It notes that world food production consumes 30 per cent of all available energy, most of which occurs after the food leaves the farm. The paper calls for: increasing the efficiency of direct and indirect energy use in agrifood systems; using more renewable energy as a substitute for fossil fuels; and improving access to energy services for poor households. It also outlines numerous approaches to adapt practices to become less energy intensive.

Improving energy access in developing countries is a key method of realizing development goals. However, climate change prompts policymakers to move away from fossil-fuel powered development; improvements in energy access must now be achieved with low carbon energy technology. This report, published by the World Bank Group (WBG), assesses the task of delivering universal access to modern energy in East Asia and the Pacific. The report’s key messages are as follows: achieving universal energy access to modern energy within the East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) region is possible within two decades; governments need to focus on two tracts, on-grid and off-grid programmes and improved access to modern cooking fuels; both tracts are affordable, but require significant support in low-access countries; the WBG is committed to expanding policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and financing to help EAP countries achieve universal energy access to modern energy.