The various reasons for failure to implement new technologies, particularly energy saving technologies that are currently available, include:

the initial cost of these measures;
insufficient competitive pressure;
lack of awareness of costs and potential savings;
the belief that savings would be uncertain or small;
time required to get a return on the investment;
capital constraints and interest rates;
the life-span of old technologies already installed;
the low turnover of housing and building stock;
the lack of energy performance standards;
low electricity costs (especially off-peak electricity);
the vested interests of the electricity utilities;
low prices offered for electricity from other sources;
the political power of the coal industry;
the lack of government funds for research;
the lack of government funds for development;
the lack of funds for demonstration of alternatives;
overcapacity in the grid.

The ESD working group on manufacturing pointed out that manufacturing firms "do not appear to have made full use of available technology and management practices with respect to energy efficiency". The experience with solar heating has also shown that the existence of an energy- and cost-saving technology does not mean that it will be used.

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Diesendorf, Mark 1992, Paper presented to AAHPSSS Annual Conference, University of NSW, July.

Ecologically Sustainable Development Working Groups 1991, Final Report—Manufacturing, AGPS, Canberra.

Industry Commission 1991, Costs and Benefits of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, vol. 1, report no. 15, AGPS, Canberra.