How the world should invest in energy efficiency

Boosting energy efficiency will help stretch energy resources and slow down the increase in carbon emissions. It will also create opportunities for businesses and consumers to invest $170 billion a year from now until 2020, at a 17 percent average internal rate of return.
However, a wide range of information gaps, market failures, and policy imperfections could slow the pace of investment.
Public- and private-sector leaders can encourage higher energy productivity by setting efficiency standards for appliances and equipment, financing energy efficiency upgrades, raising corporate standards for energy efficiency, and collaborating with energy intermediaries.