Washington, DC, 10 September 2024 – International nonprofit CLASP has launched a user-friendly toolkit to help over 160 countries slash emissions by incorporating appliance efficiency targets in their climate action plans. From Albania to Zimbabwe, the Net Zero Appliances NDC Toolkit lays out a clear pathway for including appliance efficiency—a proven, cost-effective means of reducing emissions and improving lives—in nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Climate Agreement.

Appliances account for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions. Making them more efficient could dramatically reduce emissions, but governments frequently overlook this critical climate solution.

Over 160 country-specific recommendations for policymakers  

The toolkit was launched to support policymakers by providing appliance efficiency guidance specific to each nation, example NDC language, and other helpful resources.

The timing is critical, as the 195 countries who are signatories to the Paris Climate Agreement are currently preparing to revise their time-bound national climate commitments under the agreement. These updated NDCs must be submitted in 2025 and will not be revised again until 2030.

For many countries, these NDCs drive broader national climate agendas. To date, only 47% of NDCs mention appliances, while only 25% specify the policies needed to reduce appliances’ contribution to climate change.

A critical moment for a net-zero future

In this NDC revision, governments must action the agreement made at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to double global energy efficiency by 2030. Through this commitment, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recognized energy efficiency’s pivotal role in hitting net-zero emissions by 2050.

CLASP’s research shows that appliance efficiency targets are key to achieving net zero goals and preventing 9.2 gigatons of CO₂ emissions in 2050 relative to a business-as-usual scenario.

“National appliance efficiency policies that meet critical net-zero targets need to be rolled out immediately to curb the catastrophic climate warming we are all experiencing,” said Christine Egan, CLASP’s chief executive officer. “This NDC revision is one of the last opportunities to reduce emissions and secure a sustainable future—humanity cannot afford to fall short.”

CLASP’s toolkit contains recommendations and resources to help governments assess, design, and draft net-zero–aligned targets for appliances and equipment. One of these resources, a set of 163 country fact sheets, provides detailed information about the specific climate, energy, social, and financial benefits of appliance efficiency policies in individual nations.

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For more information about “Net Zero Appliances NDC Toolkit“ please contact: ndcs@clasp.ngo

For media inquires:

Alexia Ross

aross[at]clasp.ngo

+1 (339) 222-4311

About CLASP:

CLASP is the leading global authority on efficient appliances’ role in fighting climate change and improving people’s lives. With 25 years of expertise and offices on four continents, CLASP collaborates with policymakers, industry leaders, and other experts to deliver clear pathways to a more sustainable world for people and the planet.