Sustainable energy

Renewable energy and energy efficiency are said to be the “twin pillars” of sustainable energy policy. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has explained that both resources must be developed in order to stabilize and reduce carbon dioxide emissions: Efficiency is essential to slowing the energy demand growth so that rising clean energy supplies can make deep cuts in fossil fuel use. If energy use grows too fast, renewable energy development will chase a receding target. Likewise, unless clean energy supplies come online rapidly, slowing demand growth will only begin to reduce total emissions; reducing the carbon content of energy sources is also needed.

The International Energy Agency has stated that renewable energy and energy efficiency policies should be viewed as complementary tools for the development of a sustainable energy future.