European Commission Action Plan on Energy Efficiency – From the public consultation to the real outcomes for stakeholders

Panel: Panel 2: Strategies and general policies

Author:
Sérgio Ferreira, European Copper Institute, Belgium

Abstract

The Action Plan on Energy Efficiency from the European Commission integrates into a single document a comprehensive list of actions to improve energy efficiency in the variety of energy-using sectors in Europe and beyond. Its immediate objective is to present an operational framework of policies and measures capable of realising the savings potential estimated at more than 20 % of annual primary energy consumption in Europe.

It was based on a long and extensive Public Consultation and a consistent Impact Assessment. The scope of actions is very much in line with the one proposed in the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency, so what was the real influence of stakeholders’ opinion on the public consultation and the impact assessment? Up to what extent did they influence the content of the Action Plan and the actions proposed? This paper comprises an analysis of these issues.

The European Union is not realising its savings potential because it is leaving aside many cost effective energy efficiency measures. How can this Action Plan change this problem? Europe needs to pursue energy efficiency vigorously, but are the Action Plan and the signals of announcing possible changes in current directives enough? These questions are also addressed in this paper.

In fact, it is a political document but energy efficiency by its own nature consists of different practical actions carried out by many different actors. Who will be responsible or what will be the means to bring the actions proposed to the ground and make them a success?