Author(s)

J.G. Kretzschmar

Abstract

The transformation and consumption of fossil fuels are undoubtedly the main sources of an important number of primary, as well as secondary pollutants with a local, regional, continental and/or global impact. Sustainable development will subsequently remain a dream or fiction if we do not rationalise our use of raw materials in general and fossil, non renewable energy in particular. The fact that pollution abatement at the end-of-the-pipe always requires extra energy and materials - and generates extra waste streams too - can only increase our motivation for rational use of energy in a cradle to grave approach for products, processes and services. In this context rational use of energy or RUE means: - save energy where and when possible; - increase the efficiency of the processes; - improve the quality of the energ

Keywords