Industrial Energy Efficiency

As we enter the post‐pandemic period, the United Nations' first priority related to sustainable development is to facilitate a green transition, whereby “investments must accelerate the decarbonization of all aspects of our economy.” A 2009 study conducted by The Rocky Mountain Institute stated that “The role that energy efficiency has historically played in the US is generally under appreciated. If energy productivity had remained constant since 1970, the US would have consumed 207.3 quadrillion BTUs in 2007 when it actually consumed only 101.6 quads. In other words, the US consumed less than half of what was projected.” While changes in the economy contributed to the reduction in energy usage, Metcalf concluded that energy efficiency was responsible for 65 percent to 75 percent of the productivity improvement since 1970.