The world is less dependent on oil than it was, thanks to improved efficiency in the use of energy and to a shift away from heavy industry.

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The conference is organized in support of the International Year for Sustainable Energy for All (2012) and the initiative of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, which sets the goals for improved energy efficiency, doubling the use of renewable energies and universal access to modern energy services by 2030.

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More recently the State Senate struck down legislation that would have improved energy efficiency rules by requiring the use of recent data and considering the economic impacts of rules.

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Second, this trend coincides with new potential for improved energy efficiency in buildings, which substitutes better use of information for the wasteful use of energy and dramatically reduces the need for electricity production.

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The business group CBI said it welcomed the "focus on efficiency, user engagement and greater use of competition in delivering improved services".

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Developed countries use half as much oil per real dollar of GDP as in the mid-1970s, thanks to improved energy efficiency.

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