Strategic Plan for Advancing Energy Efficiency Across Demand Sectors by 2030

The “Strategic Plan for Advancing Energy Efficiency Across Demand Sectors by 2030” presents recommendations that the G20 can consider for moving energy efficiency goals forward, in support of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 and decarbonization efforts required by the Paris Agreement. 

The Strategic Plan was developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Government of India, as a Presidency Document within the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group. The study was prepared in partnership with the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and the International Energy Agency (IEA). 

Energy efficiency is the cornerstone of just and equitable sustainable energy transitions and a critical lever for the decarbonization of the global economy. However, current efforts are falling short of global energy and climate targets. To keep the world on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 and decarbonization goals under the Paris Agreement, countries will need to double the current rate of improvement in energy intensity and increase the annual investments in end-use energy efficiency to more than three times the current levels before 2030. 

This Strategic Plan presents opportunities to deliver this progress along five pillars: actions in the buildings sector; actions in the industrial sector; actions in the transport sector; energy efficiency financing; and behavioural and lifestyle changes. Strengthened international cooperation to elevate, support and invest in energy efficiency is highlighted as an overarching principle to accelerate action in the G20 and in Global South countries.  

In 2023, under the aegis of the Indian Presidency, G20 Energy Ministers agreed to focus on actions to meet the goal of doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency within this decade, and on a Voluntary Action Plan on Doubling the Global Rate of Energy Efficiency Improvement by 2030. This was also recognized in the G20 New Delhi's Leader Declaration.