Cabinet gives consent for India to join International Energy Efficiency Hub

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The Union Cabinet on October 3 approved the signing of the Letter of Intent enabling India to join the International Energy Efficiency Hub, a global platform dedicated to fostering collaboration and promoting energy efficiency worldwide.

The government said the move solidifies India's commitment to sustainable development and aligns with its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By joining the hub, the government said, India would gain access to a vast network of experts and resources, enabling it to enhance its domestic energy efficiency initiatives.

India’s decision to join the Energy Efficiency Hub comes at a time when the country is moving towards becoming a net-zero emissions nation by 2070. The hub, which was established in 2020 as the successor to the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC), brings together governments, international organizations, and private sector entities to share knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions.

As of July 2024, sixteen countries, namely, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, European Commission, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United States and United Kingdom, have joined the hub.

“As a member of the hub, India will benefit from opportunities for collaboration with other member states, sharing its own expertise and learning from international best practices. The country will also contribute to global efforts to address climate change by promoting energy-efficient technologies and practices,” the government said in a press release.

The government has designated Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the statutory agency, as the implementing agency for the hub on behalf of India. BEE would play a crucial role in facilitating India's participation in the hub's activities and ensuring that India's contributions align with its national energy efficiency goals, the government said.

The country's participation in the global platform would help to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and improve energy security, it added.