Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1
Energy-Efi
cient Quality of Life
1.1 General
Energy-efficient quality of life will be viewed in this chapter within the
following framework:
Energy eficiency concepts, deinitions and measures
Quality of life as an indicator for human progress
Ecological Footprint and Human Development Index
Quality of life and sustainability
Energy performance
Energy efficiency indicators
Energy efficiency standards
Energy labels
The chapter ends with concluding remarks.
1.2 Energy Efficiency Concepts, Definitions and Measures
The year 2007 marked a watershed in human history; for the first time, more
people lived in cities than in the countryside [1]. It is estimated that by the
middle of the century, 70% of the world's population will reside in cities [2].
This rapid urbanisation is especially evident in the cities of the developing
world where more than 70% of the world's urban population currently live.
Over the past 50 years, cities have expanded into the land around them
at a rapid rate. Highways and transport systems have been built in tandem
to support this physical growth. Valuable farmland has been eaten up, and
car dependency has increased. Between 2010 and 2015, urban populations
are expected to grow by around 200,000 people on average each day, with
91% of this daily increase expected to take place in developing countries.
This increase is led by Asian and African cities [2].
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