Press Kit
What is the International Energy Agency?
What does the IEA do?
Who are the Member countries?
What is the International Energy Agency?
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an autonomous organisation which works to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 28 member countries and beyond.
Founded in response to the 1973/4 oil crisis, the IEA’s initial role was to help countries co-ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in oil supply through the release of emergency oil stocks to the markets.
While this continues to be a key aspect of its work, the IEA has evolved and expanded. It is at the heart of global dialogue on energy, providing authoritative and unbiased research, statistics, analysis and recommendations.
Today, the IEA’s four main areas of focus are:
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Energy security: Promoting diversity, efficiency and flexibility within all energy sectors
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Economic development: Ensuring the stable supply of energy to IEA member countries and promoting free markets to foster economic growth and eliminate energy poverty
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Environmental awareness: Enhancing international knowledge of options for tackling climate change
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Engagement worldwide: Working closely with non-member countries, especially major producers and consumers, to find solutions to shared energy and environmental concerns
Emergency preparedness
IEA member countries hold oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net
oil imports and stand ready to take effective cooperative measures to meet
any oil supply emergency. These measures include stock draw, demand restraint,
fuel switching and surge production.
Oil markets
The IEA analysis of current oil market developments, together with forecasts
for up to 18 months forward, are published in the monthly Oil Market Report.
This benchmark publication adds to oil market transparency by assessing crude
oil supplies on a field-by-field basis, product-by-product demand together
with developments in OECD stocks, refinery activity and market prices. An
annual statistical supplement provides background details on the evolution
of oil market trends.
Long-term energy market trends
Through its flagship publication “World Energy Outlook” the IEA
provides analysis of longer-term energy market trends. In even-numbered years
the series adopts a scenario approach to project the possible evolution of
energy markets. In odd-numbered years it analyses a topical issue confronting
the energy sector. The 2005 edition concentrates on the Middle East and North
Africa’s crucial role in meeting the world’s future energy needs.
Country studies
The IEA advises its member countries on practices for achieving greater energy
diversity, how to save energy, how to address climate change and how to liberalise
the energy markets. Every four years the energy policies and practices of
each IEA country are reviewed by a committee of peers and recommendations
are provided to governments.
Relations with non-member countries
The IEA extends its energy policy experience to selected non-member countries
such as the major oil producing countries, Russia, India and China. The IEA
aims through its outreach to promote its objectives of increasing the availability
of affordable, reliable and clean energy throughout the world.
Energy technology
Promoting the development of safer, more efficient technologies is a major
goal of the IEA. The IEA has an extensive network of international collaboration
(“Implementing Agreements”) on new energy techno-logies. Non-member
countries and non-governmental organisations are encouraged to participate
as well as IEA members.
Energy and environment
Energy production, transformation and consumption are major sources of the
greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. Combating climate change
must therefore find much of its solutions in the energy sector. The IEA works
on policies and technologies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and encourages
member countries to use fossil fuels more cleanly and to promote no or low
carbon sources of energy.
Energy efficiency
In its whole range of activities, the IEA focuses on a more efficient use of
energy. In this respect, technology development, policy analysis and efficiency
indicators play crucial roles.
Energy diversification
IEA governments recognise that an efficient and secure energy sector is vital
for economic growth, international competitiveness and national prosperity.
The IEA advises member governments on key strategic policy issues affecting
energy market reform, particularly in relation to electricity and gas market
liberalisation. Key is the diversification of energy types and sources.
Energy statistics
The IEA has established itself over the years as perhaps the most authoritative
and comprehensive source of energy statistics. However, maintaining the high
calibre of its statistics to feed IEA internal work and to offer policy makers
and energy analysts a global coverage of the energy situation represents
a major challenge. The IEA has made this challenge a key priority. The challenge
includes the strengthening of the links with other international organisations
as in the case of the Joint Oil Data Initiative (JODI).
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The 28 member countries of the IEA are: Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg,
The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.
All these countries are members of the OECD as the IEA is part
of the OECD family. The European Commission also participates in
the work of the IEA.
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Energy security
Promote diversity, efficiency and flexibility within
the energy sectors of the IEA member countries.
Remain prepared collectively to respond to energy
emergencies. Expand international cooperation
with all global players in the energy markets.
Environmental protection
Enhance awareness of options for addressing the climate change challenge. Promote greenhouse gas emission abatement, through enhanced energy efficiency and the use of cleaner fossil fuels. Develop more environmentally acceptable energy options.
Economic growth
Ensure the stable supply of energy
to IEA member countries and promote free markets
in order to foster economic growth.
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