IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES - PAST ACHIEVEMENTS, CO2 EMISSION PROSPECTS

This paper explores the contribution which energy efficiency might make to future reductions in CO2 emissions. Trends in key energy-use sectors and recent changes that may signal a slowdown in the rate of improvement of energy efficiency are examined. The OECD countries reduced their energy-use through greater efficiency by nearly 32 EJ, or 16 million bbl/day oil equivalent between 1972 and 1985. But the pace of these improvements in energy-use has begun to slow. Prospects for increased efficiency in each sector, and the barriers to achieving those increases, are discussed.