Mind the Gap
Subtitle: Quantifying Principal-Agent Problems in Energy Efficiency (Short-term Economic Indicators)
Publisher: Organization for Economic; oecd publishing; OECD/IEA
Published: October 2007
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 20
ISBN-13: 9789264038844
Subjects: Development economics; Development studies; Electronics - Transistors; Contemporary Economic Situations And Conditions; Technology & Engineering; Business/Economics; Science/Mathematics
Description: This publication is an unprecedented attempt to quantify the size of one of the most pervasive barriers to energy efficiency - principal-agent problems, or in common parlance, variations on the 'landlord-tenant' problem. In doing so, the book provides energy analysts and economists with insights into the amount of energy affected by principal-agent problems. Using an innovative methodology applied to eight case studies (covering commercial and residential sectors, and end-use appliances) from five different IEA countries, the analysis identifies over 3,800 PJ/year of affected energy use - that is, around 85% of the annual energy use of a country the size of Spain. The book builds on these findings to suggest a range of possible policy solutions that can reduce the impact of principal-agent problems and help policy makers mind the energy efficiency gap.--Publisher's description.