The world is searching for extra fuel, more electricity and faster supply fixes, but the International Energy Agency says one of the cheapest answers is still sitting in plain sight: using less energy to get the same result.
In a podcast episode released on July 24, the agency said disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict have put energy systems under pressure, with record-breaking heatwaves adding to demand in some parts of the world. The IEA said energy efficiency remains underused despite its role in easing strain on grids, fuel supplies and household budgets.
Brian Motherway, who leads the IEA’s work on energy efficiency and affordability, discusses in the episode why efficiency is often described as the world’s “first fuel,” the agency said.
The message lands as markets are watching how governments respond to higher energy costs without relying only on new supply. Efficiency policies can include better building standards, upgraded appliances, industrial savings and consumer support that lowers demand while keeping homes and businesses running.
The shift could affect consumers first. Lower energy use can reduce bills when oil, gas and power prices are volatile, particularly during heatwaves when air conditioning demand climbs. For governments, the development adds pressure on to make savings easier for households without asking them to accept lower living standards.
The IEA said Motherway sets out practical steps governments can take to help consumers save energy and money “without compromising economic growth or their quality of life.”
The agency said the latest episode is part of a series examining the energy crisis linked to the war in the Middle East, including oil-price shocks, cooking fuel shortages and investment trends.
