The fifth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative resulted in 284 "commitments to action" valued at $9.4 billion. As we reported last week from the event, energy efficiency dominated much of the discussion, and if adopted, this year's commitment-to-action initiatives could eliminate 30 million metric tons of greenhouse-gas emissions a year; bring clean energy to an additional 7 million people worldwide; and engage 1.5 million new people in climate-change efforts.

"I think we can say with some certainty that this [commitment to action] model actually does work," said former President Bill Clinton during the CGI's closing ceremony. "People don't have to have the same politics, the same religion, or speak the same language to work together and to have an impact. We all have things to learn from each other. What we need is a shared mechanism to achieve common goals."

While most of the commitments were prepared in advance, some happened spontaneously, underscoring Clinton's call for collaboration. For example, CGI member Mouhsine Serrar, CEO of Prakti Design Lab, developed a commitment at the meeting to deliver efficient kitchen appliances to the people of Haiti.

Another commitment that bears closer watching came from Jack Hidary, chairman of SmartTransportation.org and the man behind the Car Allowance Rebate System, or cash for clunkers, which he unveiled at last year's CGI meeting. Hidary is now setting his sights on the country's inefficient housing stock, with a commitment to bring low-cost financing for energy-efficient retrofits. The illustration above, from the National Energy Technology Laboratory, shows energy-saving opportunities in a typical home.

The October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports details ways to make your home more efficient and cut your annual utility bill by $1,500. But upfront costs can be steep, especially if you install a pellet stove or a solar water heater.

Hidary's plan would alleviate that burden by letting you pay the costs over several years using the savings from your lower energy bills. Look for more details in our upcoming 10 Questions for . . . interview with Hidary.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Visit our new Energy Saving & Green Living guide for more advice on how to save money on heating and cooling your home.