Are Energy Reductions Compatible with Economic Growth?

Our planet faces several serious and urgent challenges to sustainability including, but not limited to, climate change; however, most researchers argue that technological solutions can solve these problems. This review first examines the prospects for decoupling environmental damages in general from economic growth, considered at global level; then, it looks whether recent advances information communication technology (ICT) help. It is argued although absolute may have occurred some countries—even after accounting energy-intensive imports—it has level, which relevant level conclusion strengthened by very high correlation over past three decades found between gross domestic product (GDP) parameters sustainability, particularly atmospheric CO2 concentrations ecological footprint as a function of GDP. ICT innovations energy use include smart grids cities, especially urban transport. A recently published papers shows no definite findings or carbon reduction, show energy/carbon reduction potential if given strong policy support. Overall, was concluded Earth’s will probably need deep reductions, turn require profound sociopolitical changes.