The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency today discussed its new report featuring recommendations for governments around the world to help increase energy efficiency. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska and an honorary member of the Commission, spoke about the report today during IEA’s fifth annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency.

“Energy efficiency—the first fuel—can reduce costs, cut emissions, and save resources. The challenge is how to generate excitement for efficiency and increase engagement across sectors,” Murkowski said. “Our Commission’s report provides a menu of options to accelerate the use of energy-efficient technologies. I thank Dr. Birol and the IEA team for their continued leadership on this important issue and was honored to be part of the effort.”

IEA established the Global Commission in July 2019 after finding a “historic slowdown” in the rate of global efficiency improvements. The Commission is made up of 20 current and former government officials and business executives from around the world. 

Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is the U.S. federal government’s only representative on the Commission. The first subtitle of her American Energy Innovation Act – which awaits further consideration on the Senate floor – features a number of bipartisan policies that would improve energy efficiency in the United States.