Expanding Our Vision of Energy Efficiency

RMI proposes a 'whole-systems' approach to energy efficiency that combines electrification with 'energy end-use efficiency'—reducing the actual energy services required. By focusing on land-use, passive design, and material circularity, the report argues that overall energy demand can be reduced by 50-75% in some sectors, far exceeding the COP28 goal of a 4% annual improvement rate.

• To meet the COP28 goal of doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement to 4 percent annually by 2030, a radical rethink is required. Recent global performance has fallen short, with improvement rates of 2 percent in 2022 and dipping to 1 percent in 2023 and 2024.
• The document distinguishes between traditional efficiency (technology substitution) and 'energy end-use efficiency,' which takes a systemic approach to reducing the energy services needed. When combined with electrification, these measures can reduce overall energy demand by 50 to 75 percent.
• In the buildings sector, systemic efficiency can be achieved through mixed-use development, passive design, and high-performance envelopes. Multifamily homes save approximately 50 percent of household energy compared to single-family detached homes, while deep energy retrofits can generate savings of 60–80 percent.
• Mobility energy demand can be reduced through land-use reforms, public transit, and vehicle design. Land-use policy reforms in the United States can reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by around 10 percent, and combining electrification with end-use efficiency can reduce urban passenger transport energy demand by 67 percent.
• Freight trucking efficiency can be improved by reducing material demand, shifting modes from truck to rail, and improving driver behavior. Trucks consume nearly three times more energy per ton-km than rail, and driver-controlled factors can affect fuel efficiency by more than 20 percent.
• Steel production emissions can be mitigated through demand-side levers, material substitution, and circularity. Producing recycled steel uses only 10–25 percent of the energy required for virgin steel, and global energy demand for steel production could be 60 percent lower by 2050 if demand-side approaches are fully utilized.
• Achieving these efficiency goals requires engaging a diverse range of actors to trigger social tipping points. Examples of national and local initiatives include India's Lifestyles for Environment (LiFE) movement, Japan's "Cool Biz" campaign, and the Vauban district in Germany.

APA

RMI (2025). Expanding Our Vision of Energy Efficiency. https://rmi.org/resources/expanding-our-vision-of-energy-efficiency/

Chicago

RMI. Expanding Our Vision of Energy Efficiency. 2025. https://rmi.org/resources/expanding-our-vision-of-energy-efficiency/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Expanding Our Vision of Energy Efficiency |date=22 January 2025 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/expanding-our-vision-of-energy-efficiency/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2025expanding, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Expanding Our Vision of Energy Efficiency}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/expanding-our-vision-of-energy-efficiency/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }