At the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, discussions took place surrounding the energy sector, with a focus on decarbonizing emerging markets, advancing energy transitions, and reducing industrial carbon emissions, all closely tied to energy efficiency. These conversations underscore the pressing global need to prioritize energy efficiency as a cornerstone for a sustainable future.

In this context, Dr. Josué López-Leyva, Professor-Researcher at CETYS University, International Campus Ensenada, emphasized that despite the existence of international frameworks promoting energy efficiency, such as the American Council for an Energy- Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Mexico still faces significant challenges in this area.

«Mexico has a long way to go in terms of energy efficiency, especially within the context of globalization. According to the 2022 International Energy Efficiency Scorecard developed by the ACEEE, Mexico ranks below average regarding national efforts, particularly in the transportation sector,» explained the CETYS expert.

He further noted that while Mexico performs slightly above average in energy efficiency within the building and industrial sectors, the country currently ranks 14th out of 25 on the overall efficiency scorecard, with France in first place and the United States in 10th. In previous years, Mexico ranked 12th in 2018 and 19th in 2016. Dr. López Leyva emphasized that these rankings underscore the urgent need for significant, large-scale efforts to enhance national energy efficiency.

He emphasized that efforts should not focus solely on enhancing the national electrical grid, whether through renewable or conventional energy sources under specific efficiency guidelines. «We need to break down the larger problem into smaller, manageable parts to address it more quickly and effectively,» he added.

Among his key recommendations, Dr. López Leyva noted the urgent need for Mexico to ramp up national efforts to increase the intensity of electricity generation through renewable energy sources. This shift would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and have a positive environmental impact. Furthermore, he called forincreased investment in research, development, and innovation to drive advancements in energy efficiency.

The professor also stressed the importance of regulating and enforcing energy codes for both residential and commercial buildings, not only in new construction but also in renovations. He explained that similar initiatives have already been adopted in other countries.

«Mexico should also introduce building energy labeling and disclosure systems to promote transparency and raise awareness among the public,» he said, framing it as a matter of social responsibility.

In the industrial sector, Dr. López Leyva highlighted the need to make energy efficiency programs mandatory for all industries, along with audits conducted by both public and private sectors to ensure compliance.

Regarding the transportation sector, the CETYS expert called for the establishment of better policies and models for the acquisition of electric vehicles powered by renewable energy sources. He also underscored the need to enhance the energy efficiency, coverage, infrastructure, and pricing of public transportation.

«In many regions of the country, public transportation is not widely available, is highly inefficient in terms of energy use, and is a major source of pollution, not to mention costly,» he noted.

In conclusion, Dr. López Leyva emphasized the need for Mexico to establish a national energy management system. This system would identify key areas of energy consumption, set clear energy efficiency indicators, and outline short-, medium–, and long-term goals. He also noted that the 2022 International Energy Efficiency Scorecard provides valuable insights into the best practices adopted by other countries, which Mexico could learn from.