Abhatoo - Centre Nationale de Documentation

Energy efficiencies can be realised in any country through a mix of government, industry and individual actions, but the potential for gain differs from country to country, depending on energy use patterns, the level of development, and the strength of national regulations and institutions.

Developing countries have great scope for realising energy efficiencies through the use of the newest technologies if they are affordable and available (for example, the use of modern heating and cooking systems), the introduction of best practices from experience in other countries, and changes in individual behaviour. However, in some situations energy prices at the final consumption level do not reflect the real cost of delivered energy because of subsidies and other practices with the result that the full potential for efficiency gains cannot be realised without institutional change. The greatest immediate gains are, therefore, still to be achieved in transition and developed countries with the highest per capita consumption of energy services.