Increasing energy efficiency is an area of significant mitigation potential. Around 2 Gt CO₂ eq of emissions can be reduced by 2020 through energy-efficiency improvements as estimated by the International Energy Agency. Many energy efficiency policies are often cost-effective measures, as upfront investment is generally more than compensated by economic gains due to saved energy costs. Such policies enhance energy security and independence, reduce air pollution and contribute to public health improvements.

The technical expert meetings examine good practice policy options and technologies, and ways to increase the financial flows for implementation.

The policy options represent one of the key outcomes of the technical examination process and highlight replicable and scalable good practices, approaches and technologies with significant mitigation potential, which could be tapped in the period up to 2020 in many countries across the world. 

The Virtual Expo showcases many relevant initiatives and projects submitted by Parties and observer organizations as well as video and printed materials related to the examined thematic areas. The Expo demonstrates a wealth of climate action implemented by different actors and stakeholders.

International cooperation plays a critical role in advancing global climate change agenda and addressing new challenges and opportunities. Multiple collaborative success stories are inspiring action around the world showcasing enormous potential for enhanced cooperation at local, regional, national and global levels. The technical examination process brought together a number of international organizations, partnerships and initiatives working on advancing climate action in the examined thematic areas.

Leading international organizations and partnerships:

United Nations Environment Programme http://www.unep.org/climatechange/mitigation/EnergyEfficiency/tabid/4896/Default.aspx focuses its energy efficiency activities on technology research, development, transfer and commercialization, as well as promoting industrial new and innovative energy efficiency methodologies and techniques required for developing countries and countries with economies in transition. UNEP together with the Danish Government, and the Technical University of Denmark, established the Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency (http://www.energyefficiencycentre.org), which is dedicated to accelerating the uptake of energy efficiency policies and programmes at a global scale.

International Energy Agency http://www.iea.org/topics/energyefficiency is an intergovernmental organization which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its member countries and beyond. It is at the heart of the global dialogue on energy, providing authoritative statistics, analysis and recommendations on energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement worldwide. It promotes energy efficiency policy and technology in buildings, appliances, transport and industry, as well as end-use applications such as lighting.

Sustainable energy for all http://www.se4all.org supports the achievement of universal access to modern energy by 2030 and a doubling of the share of renewable energy and energy efficiency gains globally. To achieve that outcome, SE4All works in partnership with more than 80 countries and a number of international and private-sector institutions. Together with a number of international organisations and United Nations agencies it launched a Global Energy Efficiency Accelerator Platform (http://www.se4all.org/energyefficiencyplatform) at the United Nations Climate Summit.

Partnership for sustainable low carbon transport http://www.slocat.net is a multi-stakeholder partnership that brings together over 90 organizations working on freight and passenger land transport in developing countries. The Partnership's overarching goal is to mobilize global support to promote sustainable low-carbon transport and thereby reduce the growth of GHG emissions from land transport in developing countries and maximize the contribution of transport to poverty eradication and sustainable development.

The technical papers prepared under the technical examination process demonstrate mitigation benefits of policies, practices and technologies showcasing the best practices and success stories in the examined thematic areas.