A NEW report from America has raised again questions over whether an increased energy efficiency of appliances actually leads to a reduction in energy consumption. I say 'again' because this is nothing new, similar studies have been carried out in this country and elsewhere since at the least the oil crisis of the 70s.
And, like previous studies, this latest report from the investment bankers CIBC World Markets comes to a similar conclusion. This is that energy-efficiency initiatives and regulations do little to cut energy use and often end up increasing consumption.

This, of course, flies in the face of most governments who have seen greater energy efficiency as the answer to concerns over increasing greenhouse gas emissions. In fact where energy efficiency savings are made, consumers spend these savings on more and bigger energy-consuming appliances.

According to Jeff Rubin, the chief economist and strategist at CIBC and author of this latest report, energy consumption is not falling despite the huge gains in energy efficiency. Instead, energy consumption is growing by ever increasing amounts.

The report finds that while energy use per unit of US GDP has fallen by almost 50% since 1975, total energy usage in the US economy has risen by more than 40% in the same period. Although these figures relate to the Kyoto-denying US, similar effects have been seen in other developed countries.

In the US, average mileage per gallon has improved by nearly 30% since 1980 but these gains have not translated into actual savings in the amount of oil consumed. In fact since then the US have witnessed more American drivers, driving more miles and in larger vehicles. In 1970, the average American car was driven 9,500 miles a year, today it is driven over 12,000 miles a year.

While the pursuit of fuel economy in North America during the oil crisis saw many switch to fuel efficient 'compacts', steady improvements in fuel economy since then have encouraged many Americans to drive larger and larger vehicles. The number of SUVs, vans and pick-ups purchased, rose 45% between 1995 and 2005 - nine times faster than passenger cars.

This pattern is also reflected in residential homes, a sector which accounts for roughly 20% of all energy usage in America. The energy efficiency of air conditioning systems has risen 17% since 1990 but during the same time the number of air conditioning units has risen by 36%. Similarly, the energy efficiency of refrigerators has improved by just under 10% but the number of refrigerators is up 20%.

Add to that, the ever increasing number of power consuming appliances like computers found in today's standard American home and the trend towards rising, not falling, energy usage per household is very clear.

It is true to say of course that without this greater energy efficiency the amount of energy consumed would be far higher but if this scenario is largely reflected in the UK, which I think it is, how on earth is the UK going to achieve its emissions reduction targets?

Particularly as our own Government has quite obviously not factored in our rapidly increasing population from Eastern Europe - all of whom will be energy consumers.