Expected improvements in the efficiency of such devices are likely to be wiped out by an increase in overall demand for electronic devices in the developed and developing world, the IEA says. Unless governments "urgently implement policies" to increase product efficiency, the projected rise in energy demand could undermine global efforts to cut greenhouse gases, the agency adds.

The EU recently agreed to extend its legal framework for addressing appliance efficiency – the ecodesign directive – to cover all energy-related appliances. Europe and the United States are also set to adopt strengthened energy consumption requirements for awarding the voluntary Energy Star ecolabel for office equipment.