This article originally appeared on Gulf News.

Companies in energy, manufacturing, financial services and other industries stand to benefit from efforts to reduce energy consumption in the world’s fast-growing economies, provided they understand how policymakers shape these programmes and where the opportunities lie.

Despite the dramatic fall in energy prices, many governments remain committed to energy efficiency. Even states rich in oil and gas have established ambitious energy-efficiency programmes. They see the need to reduce energy consumption and private companies and their investors should see the opportunity inherent in these efforts.

Motivations differ from one country to the next. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is important for some, but most are pursuing the economic benefits of curbing internal demand. In oil- and gas-producing regions, less consumption leaves more for export. Some governments also want to reduce subsidies on transportation fuel and electricity, as the International Monetary Fund has recommended.

And, of course, savings from energy efficiency can be used for other economic activities in the private and public sectors.

Governments can’t do this all on their own: They need industrial and commercial partners. By launching energy-efficiency incentives, policymakers create new opportunities for many businesses. Success for any of these companies requires a thorough understanding of how governments shape energy-efficiency policies and markets.

Read the full article at Gulf News.

Kim Petrick is a partner with Bain & Company in Dubai. Amit Sinha is a Bain partner in New Delhi.