Energy efficiency has tremendous potential to boost economic growth and avoid greenhouse gas emissions, but the global rate of progress is slowing, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. Global primary energy demand rose by 2.3% in 2018, driven in large part by the People’s Republic of China, India and the United States, which were responsible for 70% of demand growth. In the United States, primary demand increased for the first time since 2014. Primary energy intensity—an indicator of how much energy is used by the global economy—improved by just 1.2% in 2018—the slowest rate since 2010—according to Energy Efficiency 2019 , the IEA’s annual report on energy efficiency. This was slower than the 1.7% improvement in 2017 and marked the third year in a row the rate has declined. It was also well below the average 3% improvement that would be consistent with the IEA […]