ClimateJuly 8, 2026
decoupling
/ˌdiːˈkʌpəlɪŋ/
Definition
The process of breaking the traditional link between economic growth and increasing energy consumption, allowing an economy to prosper while using less energy.
Etymology
Derived from the prefix 'de-' (reversal or removal) and 'couple' (to join or connect), which traces back to the Latin 'copula' meaning a bond or tie. The term entered modern usage to describe the separation of two previously correlated variables.
In the news
The article highlights that America has successfully achieved a decoupling of energy production and economic productivity, as the economy has continued to grow even as per-capita energy consumption has decreased.
The “soft energy path” at 50: America’s road half-taken
Read the full article ↗Frontier Group