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The global economy steadily grew at an annual average rate of 4.1 percent from 2000 to 2008. Emerging and developing economies drove much of that increase, with a collective growth rate of 6.5 percent. During this rapid period of growth, many Asian countries have focused their efforts on expanding production capacity quickly to meet their energy needs as opposed to focusing on ways to use energy more efficiently. In addition, governments at the state, local, and national levels have pursued the fastest and cheapest ways to develop infrastructure, with less emphasis on the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of their efforts. The globe now faces a protracted economic downturn, with gross domestic product expected to slow down to 0.5 percent in 2009. Asian businesses are facing the need to lower costs and remain competitive. Budget cuts are spurring governments to find new ways to reduce expenditures by making more effective use of energy. Energy costs represent a significant proportion of the cost of production of various goods and services utilized by industrial societies. Thus, improving energy efficiency and lowering energy demand is foremost among the options to lower costs and enhance competitiveness.