By Ecofys

This article originally appeared on Ecofys and is republished with permission.

Global energy savings of 13% and 7% greenhouse gas emissions reductions could be achieved in 2030 if globally harmonised energy efficiency requirements for appliances could be agreed. Energy savings could total €280-410 billion a year. A new study also identifies significant other benefits in trade, economic growth, employment, consumers, the environment and innovation would also be achieved.

The research, carried out by Ecofys and partners for the European Commission, examines the potential for and impacts of greater harmonisation of global energy efficiency standards. Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and energy efficiency labels for appliances and equipment are increasingly applied by countries around the world, but in a variety of ways and at different levels of ambition.

The study models three different scenarios for global harmonisation. The lead scenario estimates energy use in 2030, if from 2020 the current highest MEPS for consumer, commercial and industrial appliances and equipment were aligned to the current most ambitious MEPS level. The report also explores the impacts if this happened already as of today, and if the most ambitious current energy labelling system were applied in addition to MEPS.