Decoupling Energy Consumption and Economic Growth

This lecture explores the concept of decoupling energy consumption from economic growth, focusing on the determinants of energy intensity in GDP, the Kaya decomposition for CO2 emissions, and the implications of efficiency improvements being cancelled by growth. The instructor discusses the challenges and opportunities of achieving decoupling, the limitations of IPAT and Kaya decompositions, and the potential of the environmental Kuznets curve. Various examples and empirical evidence are provided to illustrate the complexities of decoupling energy use and environmental impacts, highlighting the importance of sustainable development strategies.