Resource information
Energy for heating, cooling, lighting,
mechanical power, and various chemical processes is a
fundamental requirement for both daily life and economic
development. The negative impact on the environment of
current energy systems is increasingly alarming, especially
the global warming consequences of burning fossil fuels. The
future requires change through the development and adoption
of new supply technologies, through a successful search for
new, less resource-intensive paths of economic development,
and through adoption of energy. Greater energy efficiency is
key for shifting country development paths toward
lower-carbon economic growth. Especially in developing
countries and transition economies, vast potential for
energy savings opportunities remain unrealized even though
current financial returns are strong. Activities included
specialized technical assistance, training, and applied
research covering the four primary areas of country
interest: (a) development of commercial banking windows for
energy efficiency; (b) support for developing energy service
companies (ESCOs); (c) guarantee funds for energy efficiency
investment financing; and (d) equity funding for ESCOs or
energy efficiency projects. One clear message from the
experience of the three country Energy Efficiency Project is
the importance of establishing and maintaining practical,
operationally focused dialogue between the banking community
and the energy efficiency practitioner community.
