The government is the largest single consumer of energy in most countries. Governments can reduce their own energy costs through the operation of their buildings, through the design features of new buildings, and through the efficiency of the energy-using products they buy. Through environmentally sound decisions, governments can also provide an example to those who own, rent, and operate privately-owned residential, commercial and institutional buildings.
Government policies are also important in myriad additional ways.
For example, governments can use their purchasing power to create a market for energy-efficient products. The survey questionnaire was distributed to knowledgeable government people in 25 countries. The most active programmes were reported in Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States. The common government programmes included setting energy-saving targets, tracking progress toward the targets, recognising successes, requiring the purchasing of efficient equipment, providing information and training, as well as financing schemes, and conducting energy audits and demonstration projects. Among Countries Leading by example has an appealing potential for transferring one country's success to another in the climate change field, where countries are striving for a common, international goal.