Australia’s Energy Efficiency Program recognised23 May 2012In a newly published report – Energy Management Programmes for Industry: Gaining through Savings – the International Energy Agency (IEA) has recognised the achievements of the Australian Government’s Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) Program. IEA Executive Director, Maria van der Hoeven, said that the Australian EEO Program was a successful example of how government can work with industry to reduce energy use. “The IEA considers energy efficiency as the most cost effective option in the short to medium term to reduce global emissions,” Ms van der Hoeven said. “Australia’s EEO Program provides a leading-edge example of how best to reduce energy use and improve energy management systems.” The IEA report noted that opportunities to improve energy efficiency are still under- exploited in the industrial sector, which accounts for one third of global energy demand and more than 40 per cent of energy demand in countries such as Australia and developing economies like China. The Australian Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, said that in 2010-11 businesses reported that the EEO Program identified possible savings 10 per cent of their assessed energy use. He said the savings will represent 1.5 of Australia’s total energy use and equate to 1 per cent of total emissions. Australia’s EEO Program encourages large energy-using businesses in Australia to improve their energy efficiency – and does this by requiring businesses to identify, evaluate and report publicly on cost effective energy savings opportunities. The EEO Program's requirements are set out in Energy Efficiency Opportunities legislation which came into effect in Australia in 2006. More information |