Currents

An Energy Newsletter for Local Governments

EU Proposed 20% Reduction in Energy Use by 2020

In June 2005 the European Commission published a Green Paper on Energy Efficiency entitled “Doing more with less.” It reflects the European Union’s Commissioner for Energy’s intention to make energy efficiency a priority. And he sees local governments as key players in this effort.

Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said, (L)ocal authorities are our big hope and our strong pillar in this because they can really make a change in cases where the market itself doesn’t provide… So, it means that local authorities are the best equipped to consider long-term energy efficiency issues.

With over 110 members in 21 countries and representing close to 300 towns and cities, Energie-Cités is the association of European local authorities for promotion of local sustainable energy policies. Energie-Cités has created a list of ideas on what local governments can do to achieve the 20% target by 2020.

1. Have adequate ‘in-house’ human resources (elected representatives, energy managers, energy teams, interdepartmental organizational structure) and externally (e.g., local energy agencies). If no one is in charge, there can be no such thing as policy making.
2. Introduce an energy efficiency policy for their own premises (buildings, lighting, municipal services, etc.). This could generate energy savings of up to 30 or 40%. Local governments must be role models for local residents and businesses.
3. Define a strategy with figure-based targets and sector-based action plans: transportation, energy efficiency for housing, and small and very small business.
4. Get all local players – private, public and community – involved in a Forum, so as to create a “sustainable energy community’ and encourage initiative in order to meet the 20% target. Local governments should also exploit the innovation potential of the community at large.
5. Convey their message to all local residents through information, communication and educational campaigns. To develop efficient and sustainable practices, citizens and young consumers need to be informed and encouraged by their municipality.
6. Stimulate the emergence of a local intelligent energy market through their procurement policies, when purchasing goods, service and energy. This is an extra way of creating jobs. Banks also have a critical role to play in financing public and private investments.
7. Use urban planning (land use planning and development areas) as a major tool for influencing energy use patterns. More than 20% of locally-consumed energy is affected by urban planning decisions.
8. Take specific action to combat fuel poverty, as energy price increases cause serious financial problems for certain households. Improving energy efficiency in housing is more sustainable than simple provision of social benefits.
9. Influence the local energy market by promoting energy-efficient solutions (e.g., cogeneration) and the use of local resources: every euro spent is a euro that stays in the local economy and contributes to its growth.
10. Take an active part – and encourage their employees to take part – in networks to exchange experience at national and European level. Promoting one’s achievements and learning form others is a good investment.

To learn more about Energie-Cités or the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency visit: http://www.energie-cites.org

| Back | Next |