US energy-saving potential highlighted in new report
The US has the potential to make energy savings equivalent to taking the nation's entire fleet of passenger vehicles and light trucks off the roads.
However, to achieve this certain obstacles have to be overcome, according to a report by the consultancy firm McKinsey & Company.
The report states that raising awareness of the issue through information and education and encouraging investment through incentives and financing are among the barriers that need to be overcome.
It is also vital to deploy resources well beyond current levels in order to achieve the energy savings, which will result in the reduction of 1.1 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
The report also suggested encouraging "innovation in the development and deployment of next-generation energy-efficiency technologies to ensure ongoing productivity gains".
Other suggestions that have potential to cut the nation's non-transportation energy consumption by around 23 per cent by 2020 include recognising energy conservation as a vital power source and identifying methods of providing funding.
The management consulting firm specialises in advising leading companies on issues of strategy, organisation, technology, and operations.
