COP21 Reflection: energy efficiency at COP21

In my initial observations of COP21 discussions on Twitter, blogs, and news feeds, energy efficiency seemed to get brushed under the rug. It can be hard to focus on energy efficiency, which many people think just means light bulbs, as a strategy to tackle climate change when there are so many important and pressing discussions in such a huge, complex negotiation.

But energy efficiency is more than just light bulbs. Energy efficiency as a strategy spans various sectors to promote emissions reductions and help transition countries to low-carbon societies. Using energy more wisely in our buildings, vehicles, appliances, and industries means that we require less energy to fulfill our societal needs.

I was glad to see the Lima-Paris Action Agenda (LPAA) hold a Focus Day on Energy on Monday, December 7 to highlight the role of energy efficiency and renewable energy in tackling climate change. The session brought together various official UN and non-state actors to talk about challenges and solutions to achieve emissions reductions for a 2°C pathway. Through the LPAA, big COP players, which include the Peruvian and French COP presidencies, the office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the UNFCCC Secretariat, aim to mobilize action and promote partnerships especially with non-state actors (think cities, regions and other sub national entities, international organizations, academic institutions, civil society, private sector businesses and the like) to achieve emissions reductions goals in support of the official COP21 agreement.

Proposed and underway LPAA activities include various coalition-building efforts like SE4All’s 100/100/100 campaign among businesses and the umbrella Global Energy Efficiency Accelerator Platform, which includes efficiency projects and pilots in countries across the world. It will be interesting to see how some of these efforts launch and develop over the years in support of the official Paris agreement.