A tangled web: assessing overlaps between energy and environmental policy instruments in place along electricity systems

Sofia Simões, CML-Leiden University and DCEA-New University of Lisbon
Gjalt Huppes, CML-Leiden University
Júlia Seixas, DCEA-New University of Lisbon

Keywords

policy evaluation, environmental and energy policy instruments, electricity supply and demand, integration

Abstract

A multiplicity of energy and environmental policy instruments is targeting stakeholders along electricity supply and demand, overlapping with each other. Although synergies between different policy instruments may exist, e.g. reducing acidification and climate change by reducing energy consumption, there may also be antagonisms. Such antagonisms arise not only within different environmental policy instruments but also with energy policy instruments. The fact that the development of policies and their implementation using specific instruments is often disconnected creates a need to better integrate overlapping policy instruments. This paper surveys such overlaps in policy instruments in EU energy and environmental policies regarding electricity systems, characterising their interactions. An approach for further assessment and analysis of overlaps and co-effects between policy instruments is presented. A short discussion on how trade-offs can be structured is made, as well as some notes on issues to be considered towards policy integration.