Introduction

Abstract

The Earth’s climate is changing and energy efficiency offers a powerful and cost-effective tool for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (IEA 2012). According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), governmental energy efficiency policies with increasing capital investment in energy efficiency technologies will help cut 8.2 giga metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalent per year (GMTCO₂/year) by 2030. This is equivalent to approximately twice the total European Union (EU) energy-related CO₂ emissions in 2010. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has invested US$872 million and mobilized US$6.3 billion in 162 energy efficiency projects involving 35 countries around the world. Covering energy-efficient lighting, buildings, industrial processes, boilers and equipment, household appliances, and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), these GEF projects invest in energy efficiency hardware assets (or equipment) as well as the development of policies, regulations, standards, and codes. Some GEF projects have direct CO₂ emissions mitigation impacts and some have indirect emissions reduction effects. On the basis of analyzing the 49 completed GEF energy efficiency projects, and the 65 that for various reasons were dropped or cancelled, this book presents an analysis of the GEF’s 20 years of experiences in closing the energy efficiency gap in developing countries.