Sustainable Energy Trends: Small is Beautiful

A carbon-intensive past: In 1973, a year marked by the occurrence of the oil crisis, the global economy was mainly powered by centralised, large-scale, fossil fuel-based technology. In the same year, “Small Is Beautiful”, a book published by the economist E.F. Schumacher, appeared somewhat atypical to many, as it presented the idea of an economic model based on sustainable, small-scale, decentralised energy technologies. A Sustainable, Decentralised Future: Today, sustainability is increasingly at the center of the political and investors’ agenda, and Schumacher’s vision appears to be coming true, as investments in small-scale renewables and energy efficiency technologies are growing, supporting the transition to a low carbon economy. A recent survey of central bankers and finance officials sees energy efficiency as a key area of investment to stimulate the economy