The Next Frontier to Realize Industrial Energy Efficiency

Abstract

Industry contributes directly and indirectly (through consumed electricity) about 37% of the global greenhouse gas emissions, of which over 80% is from energy use. Total energy-related emissions, which were 9.9 GtCO2 in 2004, have grown by 65% since 1971. In the near future, energy efficiency is potentially the most important and cost-effective means for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from industry. Despite the growth in energy use, industry has almost continuously improved its energy efficiency over the past decades. Yet, climate change and other future challenges will drive a quest for further energy-efficiency improvement. Both improvements with which industrial processes use energy and materials are key to realize strong reductions energy use. This paper discusses the potential contribution of industrial energy and material efficiency technologies to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions to 2030 and beyond, and ways to realize them.