This report examines various topics and issues related to worldwide energy productivity and energy conservation. Following an introduction, these issues are considered in 6 sections focusing on: (1) energy demand projections (with data on 1982 energy consumption in selected countries); (2) continued industrial efficiency gains (including data on energy use in steel manufacturing and electrical energy use in aluminum smelting in major producing countries, ranked by efficiency); (3) the saving of oil in transportation (with data on 1982 automobile fuel economy in selected countries); (4) improvements in the energy use in buildings and appliances; and (5 and 6) two contrasting views of the world energy future. The first view indicates that global energy demand will double by the year 2025 while the second, based on an understanding of energy conservation, shows how demand could be held to a much smaller increase, stretching nonrenewable energy supplies and facilitating the use of renewable resources. Governmental policy initiatives designed to achieve the desired conservation potential are addressed. The crucial policies to be implemented include market pricing of energy, elimination of subsidies for energy use, implementation of regulations to overcome market failures, provision of consumer information, research and development, and visible encouragement of conservation by leaders at all levels. (JN)