CoAct Database

Go back to initiative table

United for Efficiency

U4E is a global effort supporting developing countries and emerging economies to move their markets to energy-efficient appliances and equipment. Under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), U4E brings together all key stakeholders active in the area of product efficiency. U4E: Informs policy makers of the potential environmental, financial and economic savings of a transition to high-efficiency products; Identifies and promotes global best practices in transforming markets; Offers tailored assistance to governments to develop and implement national and regional strategies and projects to achieve a fast and sustainable market transformation. U4E builds on the success of the en.lighten initiative, which accelerates the transition to efficient lighting worldwide. It broadens the scope to six other high-efficiency product categories, such as commercial, industrial and outdoor lighting, residential refrigerators, room air conditioners, electric motors, distribution transformers, and information and communication technologies.

Reducing global electricity demand and mitigating climate change U4E focuses primarily on developing countries and emerging economies, where electricity demand is set to more than double by 2030. An increasingly urbanized and growing middle class will require modern conveniences such as lighting, appliances and equipment. This will ultimately boost greenhouse gas emissions. A global transition to high-efficiency products will make it possible for people to enjoy the benefits of their increased incomes while minimizing their impact on climate change.

Summit/ Mobilisation process: UN Secretary Generals Climate Summit, New York (2014).

Activity period 2014–present
Last CoAct update 2023
Web URL http://united4efficiency.org/
Output effectiveness
0.68
Accountability Index
0.27
Inclusiveness Index
0.36
Num. actors 21
Functions Knowledge dissemination, Institutional capacity building, Standards and norms, Policy planning
SDGs 7 9 12 13 17
Themes energy, industry
Policy focus Mainly mitigation
Sectors Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Implementation countries Bolivia (Plurinatinal State of), Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Gambia (the), Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (the), Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sudan (the), Tunisia, Türkiye
Target Target type
1.25 gigatonnes reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 Emission reduction target
Save the equivalent energy and associated emissions output of 500 large (1 GW) coal fired power stations by 2040 Energy efficiency target
Support 75 developing countries and emerging economies to switch their markets to energy-efficient products to save 20% of their electricity consumption Energy efficiency target
75 countries to attain higher energy efficiency People/countries affected target
By 2030 500 bln in avoided construction of power plants Other target