Using Energy and Materials More Efficiently – Large and Profitable Potentials, But Little Attention from Energy and Climate Policy

The paper first outlines the challenges the global energy system is facing. It then summarises the present knowledge of energy efficient solutions in all energy sectors from primary energy to useful energy and, more importantly, from useful energy to energy services (material efficiency and substitution). The examination of these efficiency potentials considers the lifetimes of manufactured artefacts: buildings and infrastructure that will save or waste energy over the next 60 to 70 years. The result - a reduction of present energy use per capita by a factor of 3, labelled the "2000 Watt / cap society", is briefly discussed as are organizational measures and entrepreneurial innovations which could be immediately taken up. Besides dicussing the classical reasons why many profitable energy efficiency potentials are not realized, the article calls for more creativity and trust in the motivation and opportunities of players and for an analysis of the relevant players of the related innovation system. Finally, the recent activities of the Energy Summit of the German government and the Commission's Action Plan for Energy Efficiency are shortly discussed using the criteria developed in the article.