Andrew Warren, chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation and a friend of EiD, looks at what the European Citizens’ panel has to say about the need to invest in energy efficiency measures and wonders how a similar body could help to shape policy initiatives in the UK. This column was originally in the May issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry.
Citizens’ panel shows the way
The European Citizens’ panel on energy efficiency has concluded all its’ deliberations. Giving a big thumbs up to the need to speed up investment in energy saving. And endorsing 13 very specific recommendations on how to deliver better on the ground.
This overwhelming endorsement will be a key signal to all politicians successful in this year’s elections. It provides the most tangible proof that not only does the average person appreciate just how important energy saving is. But that they also would endorse purposeful and radical initiatives, in order to increase investment in this area.
Made up of 150 non-expert people, randomly selected from the 27 member countries of the European Union, the panel met formally in closed three day sessions on three occasions between February and April. There were also many informal meetings between panel members.
The initiative followed successful experiments in both Ireland and Slovenia, convening such panels. These have proved valuable to civil servants and politicians, anxious to understand better what policies may be most acceptable in order to expedite the Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle. This already forms the basis of EU energy policy via the existing Energy Efficiency Directive.
Participants were asked to examine different ways each energy using sector can become more energy efficient “in a realistic and impactful way.” Choices had to be considered, weighing costs and benefits, seeking initiatives that “bring the greatest benefit to society as a whole”, because “energy efficiency provides for cost-optimal choices.”
Panel participants were recruited using tools to generate valid mobile telephone numbers at random. To ensure that the Panel reflected Europe’s socio-demographic composition, the process ensured that recruitment is representative of EU diversity. A quota system tried to ensure a gender-balanced Panel.
Given the long-lasting importance of any decisions taken, the quota also specified that young people aged 16-25 must represent a third of the panel (50 people). Other socio-demographic characteristics related to education level, geographic location, and occupation. All participants received travelling and per diem expenses.
Panel discussions were guided and advised by a dedicated “Knowledge Committee”. This consisted of specialists in energy delivery programmes within individual EU countries.
Interestingly, none of the final recommendations endorsed by the panel are absolutely earth-shatteringly original. Instead, each reflects concepts and ideas already embraced in some European countries already, albeit seldom in a majority of them.
Change of direction
There are a few are more generalised reflections, which are nonetheless important. But most are aimed at quite specific objectives, each of which will require a change of either direction or emphasis from both politicians and administrators.
The formally adopted final 13 recommendations encourage the Commission to focus in particular on:
- Increasing the attractiveness of public transport for passengers
- Delivering the most energy-efficient transport across Europe: “Get goods off the road, get people out of planes, and introduce a ‘railway first principle’”
- Expanding the implementation of energy efficiency in buildings, by ensuring full implementation of the newly strengthened Energy Performance of Buildings directive
- Improving the state of skilled labour in the EU in the energy efficiency sector, acknowledging the enormous employment opportunities in delivering programmes
- Managing and monitoring the implementation of existing EU directives. The panel was adamant that insufficient priority was being given to ensure that the law of the land on energy efficiency are fully complied with . This applied particularly to the buildings sector.
- Optimising and developing the electricity grid system, from producer to the end-user, in favour of renewable energy sources and demand management
- Securing the future through education on green issues, from primary school stages up to university
- Helping EU citizens to develop local energy communities focused on energy efficiency, including by providing better information and appropriate financial support
- Financing fair “right to energy-related” home renovation. There is considerable concern at the way in which lower income households – particularly those in fuel poverty- seldom are prioritised in spending programmes on energy efficiency
- Increasing energy independence and intensity efficiency, with Europe becoming a global exemplar in terms of “delivering more, while using less energy”
And more generalised but sensible recommendations like:
- Developing energy-efficient communities for responsible consumption and increased local energy production
- Achieving energy efficiency targets by strengthening everyone’s ability to act
- Empowering consumers to become energy efficient
These conclusions, reached by this Citizens Panel exercise, will be presented to the new College of European Commissioners, meeting shortly after the European Parliament elections this month. This will, promises the EC, “contribute to shaping EU laws and initiatives in this area”.
To date, nobody from the UK has ever been involved in such a ground-breaking exercise. I am unaware of any elected politician yet seeking to follow this European example.
But given how readily so many energy efficiency programmes have been suddenly abandoned, specifically in fear of apparent concerns about the populace’s rage, a similar consult-the-real-people exercise might yet provide some real backbone – even to timid UK administrators.
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 