High Oil Prices Boost Energy Efficiency - Report

Tom Bergin, Planet Ark 30 Jan 08;

LONDON - High oil prices have spurred countries to use energy more efficiently, a report by an energy industry group said, but the authors say concerted government action is still needed to encourage less waste.

The World Energy Council, whose members include energy companies and government bodies in 90 countries, said a study it commissioned showed the long-standing trend of countries using less energy to generate each dollar of GDP had accelerated in the period 2000 to 2006, when oil prices hit new highs.

Over the period 1990 to 2006, energy productivity increased at an average rate of 1.3 percent, but from 2000 to 2006, productivity grew 1.5 percent per year.

China was the principal exception, with its improvement in energy productivity falling to 1 percent per annum in 2000-2006 from 7.5 percent per annum in 1990-2000, as its economic growth soared to double-digit levels.

The development of more efficient technologies over time generally allows countries to use less energy to perform the same tasks. However, total energy use still tends to rise as increased wealth prompts greater overall consumption.

Governments need to adopt a range of measures to reduce energy waste and unnecessary CO2 production, the report said, including tax breaks for energy-saving technology, rises in energy prices and tougher regulations for cars and houses.

Few countries around the world have so far managed to generate a material portion of their energy needs from sustainable or "green" sources, leading to increased hydrocarbon use and higher CO2 emissions.

Many analysts believe that until cleaner technologies are developed and adopted, energy efficiency is the easiest way for the world to significantly curb CO2 emissions.

The WEC also encouraged governments to promote the labelling of products to highlight their energy efficiency and to lead by example in reducing unnecessary energy use. (Editing by David Holmes)