Decoupling energy use and economic growth: Counter evidence from structural effects and embodied energy in trade

The results show that the share of embodied energy in imports has reached 81% of final energy consumption in economic activities. A comparison of energy intensities with and without embodied energy in trade shows that decoupling is more virtual than actual. Shifting energy intensive activities abroad improves domestic performance but worsens both overall energy use and security by relying on more indirect energy consumption. Energy indicators should therefore be adjusted to avoid potentially conflicting policy objectives between energy intensity and security as well as trade.