Energy Indicators for Sustainable Development: Guidelines and Methodologies International Atomic Energy Agency United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs International Energy Agency Eurostat European Environment Agency

Alternative Definitions 
None 
Agenda 21 
Consumption and production patterns 
POLICY RELEVANCE 
(a) Purpose: This indicator is used to monitor trends in energy use in the service/ 
commercial sector. 
(b) Relevance to Sustainable Development: The service sector is less energy 
intensive than is the manufacturing sector, and the growth of the sector relative to 
manufacturing contributes to the long-term reduction in the ratio of total energy use to 
gross domestic product (GDP). The sector, however, is a large consumer of 
electricity. In general, sustainable development requires increases in energy efficiency 
in all sectors in order to reduce overall energy use and to diminish negative 
environmental impacts. 
(c) International Conventions and Agreements: There are no international 
agreements. Some countries are promulgating energy efficiency standards for lighting, 
office equipment or other devices, while others are negotiating voluntary agreements 
to reduce energy use per square metre of floor space. 

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(d) International Targets/Recommended Standards: There are no international 
targets or standards. Many industrialized countries have set targets for reducing the 
space-heating component of service-sector energy use per unit of floor area. 
Currently, many countries are trying to reduce electricity consumption for cooling, 
lighting and information systems. 
(e) Linkages to Other Indicators: This indicator is part of a set for energy intensity 
in different sectors (manufacturing, transport, agriculture and residential), with the 
indicator for energy use per unit of GDP as an aggregate energy intensity indicator. 
This indicator is also linked to indicators for total energy and electricity use, 
greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutant emissions.