Is Energy Efficiency Good For The Environment? Some Conflicts And Confusions

This paper looks at the problem of defining and measuring energy efficiency, and the conflicts that arise from imprecise definitions. While energy efficiency is easy to define in a theoretical sense it is hard to measure due to problem in assessing energy (service) outputs. One solution is the development of indicators, like energy intensity, but simple indicators can give contradictory results. This is illustrated with three examples from the UK domestic sector. More complex indicators require extensive data collection and are difficult to track over time. Conflicts in the policy debate arise from confusion over the goal of energy efficiency: is it about saving money, saving energy or saving the world (by reducing CO2 emissions)? Particular conflict arise from electricity use, whose use is efficient in terms of delivered energy but inefficient in primary energy. A further source of debate, started by Len Brookes, arises over whether increased efficiency will indeed lead to reduced energy consumption. The paper attempts to define the issues and concludes by offering some policies which might satisfy the various parties in the debate and lead to reduced CO2 emissions.