ABSTRACT
Energy efficiency measures are instrumental in attaining the international environmental and sustainability targets and commitments. However, the deployment of energy efficiency frequently has to overcome multiple barriers, and often needs public investment and a stable legal framework to boost investors’' confidence. This is valid both for developed and developing countries. We can find plenty of diverse policy measures in different countries to promote energy efficiency effectively, but their success is almost dependent on a strong national political will and enforcement, transparency and accountability.
Energy efficiency presents multiple benefits like job creation, health, economic growth, but it also contributes to release pressure on already constrained energy systems and budgets. Energy efficiency is also closely related to renewable energy development strategies and comprehensive energy systems planning, which is especially relevant in developing countries, contributing to their development path.
Successful energy efficiency strategies rely on multi-stakeholder action, and benefit from international cooperation and from the involvement of the private and the financial sectors, while new communication and information technologies bring a world of opportunities to move faster and more effectively.
In this introduction chapter, we go through the main features of energy efficiency, its role in the international sustainability agenda and address its relevance to developing countries. Finally, we make a summary analysis of the cases included in this volume with the objective of highlighting the main trends on energy efficiency deployment in developing countries.
