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Energy use and carbon emissions: From decoupling and transitions to sufficiency?

Mundaca, Luis LU (2010) ISEE Advancing Sustainability in Time of Crisis
Abstract
The paper examines and illustrates different trends in relation to historical energy use-related intensities and corresponding CO2 emission trends. The methodology encompasses a decomposition quantitative approach for estimating decoupling trends to energy use and economic and demographic parameters driving CO2 emission levels. The analysis covers both global and regional trends for the period 1971 to 2007. The findings suggest that policy portfolios have delivered marginal improvements, with relative decoupling as a key policy component. Estimated trends show that most of the energy and carbon intensity improvements have been incapable to offset the effects of population growth and the expansion of the global economic system. Demand for... (More)
The paper examines and illustrates different trends in relation to historical energy use-related intensities and corresponding CO2 emission trends. The methodology encompasses a decomposition quantitative approach for estimating decoupling trends to energy use and economic and demographic parameters driving CO2 emission levels. The analysis covers both global and regional trends for the period 1971 to 2007. The findings suggest that policy portfolios have delivered marginal improvements, with relative decoupling as a key policy component. Estimated trends show that most of the energy and carbon intensity improvements have been incapable to offset the effects of population growth and the expansion of the global economic system. Demand for energy continues to growth despite ongoing structural changes. CO2 emissions have continued to rise in most regions of the world regardless of technology improvements. Energy and carbon-related equity aspects are discussed in the light of the carrying capacity of the climatic system and development issues. Whereas the findings support that sustainable energy and climate policy ought to be built on energy efficiency, sufficiency must also become an important foundation in the policy agenda of rich nations. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
sufficiency, economic growth, efficiency, CO2 emissions, energy services
host publication
Biennial International Society for Ecological Economics Conferences
pages
19 pages
publisher
International Society for Ecological Economics
conference name
ISEE Advancing Sustainability in Time of Crisis
conference location
Oldenburg and Bremen, Germany
conference dates
2010-08-22 - 2010-08-25
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
13db9c43-19d9-4652-99df-a1b337f24d2a (old id 1763823)
alternative location
http://www.isee2010.org/index.php
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 11:50:48
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:07:34
@inproceedings{13db9c43-19d9-4652-99df-a1b337f24d2a,
  abstract     = {{The paper examines and illustrates different trends in relation to historical energy use-related intensities and corresponding CO2 emission trends. The methodology encompasses a decomposition quantitative approach for estimating decoupling trends to energy use and economic and demographic parameters driving CO2 emission levels. The analysis covers both global and regional trends for the period 1971 to 2007. The findings suggest that policy portfolios have delivered marginal improvements, with relative decoupling as a key policy component. Estimated trends show that most of the energy and carbon intensity improvements have been incapable to offset the effects of population growth and the expansion of the global economic system. Demand for energy continues to growth despite ongoing structural changes. CO2 emissions have continued to rise in most regions of the world regardless of technology improvements. Energy and carbon-related equity aspects are discussed in the light of the carrying capacity of the climatic system and development issues. Whereas the findings support that sustainable energy and climate policy ought to be built on energy efficiency, sufficiency must also become an important foundation in the policy agenda of rich nations.}},
  author       = {{Mundaca, Luis}},
  booktitle    = {{Biennial International Society for Ecological Economics Conferences}},
  keywords     = {{sufficiency; economic growth; efficiency; CO2 emissions; energy services}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{International Society for Ecological Economics}},
  title        = {{Energy use and carbon emissions: From decoupling and transitions to sufficiency?}},
  url          = {{http://www.isee2010.org/index.php}},
  year         = {{2010}},
}