Energy efficiency means no regrets

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy

OSTI ID:457143

Assenza, M P

Should we wait and see how hot it`s going to get, or should we act not to prevent global warming caused by greenhouse gases? Marit P. Assenza, a management consultant in Oslo, Norway, says many economists support a {open_quotes}no regrets{close_quotes} policy that, in the absence of certainty about the future, allows for economic savings while curbing emissions at the same time. Many countries, including Norway, {open_quotes}have already committed themselves to investing in such preventative policies,{close_quotes} Assenza says. In the early 1990s, Norway {open_quotes}launched a program aimed at giving private companies incentives to make investments in energy efficiency,{close_quotes} Assenza notes. Bakeries, for example, used fund provided by the program to apply a technology already in use in metal-processing: heat from the ovens was rerouted to help heat the rest of the plant, resulting in significant energy savings. To encourage company executives to adapt to change, {open_quotes}public policies aimed at dismantling barriers, increasing information flows, and enhancing the diffusion of new innovations make sense,{close_quotes} Assenza says.

• OSTI ID: 457143
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 11; ISSN FARPEL; ISSN 0887-8218
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
GLOBAL ASPECTS
POLITICAL ASPECTS