Energy efficiency in UK energy policy: a step change towards a low carbon economy

Panel: Panel 1. Energy efficiency – a strategic choice for Europe

Authors:
Joanne Wade, Research Director, Association for the Conservation of Energy
Matthew Leach, Imperial College Centre for Energy Policy and Technology, Imperial College London

Abstract

In February 2002, the UK Government's strategy advisory body published 'The Energy Review'. This report to Government was written following an extensive six month public consultation. The report suggested that moving to a low carbon economy posed a major potential challenge, and that a 'step change' in energy efficiency leading to reductions in energy demand was required. Since the publication of the report, the government has initiated a further consultation which has lead to the publication, in February 2003, of the UK's first Energy Policy White Paper since 1967.

There has been wide agreement throughout both consultations that energy efficiency has a key role to play in achievement of both short and long term carbon abatement goals, regardless of decisions taken about supply side options. However, a number of debates are now ongoing concerning, for example: the relative importance of efforts for increased deployment of known solutions compared to the development of new technologies; the potential for synergies between efficiency options and emerging technologies such as D-CHP; and more general questions about how to bring about the required increase in the historic rate of energy efficiency improvement.

This paper examines some of these debates, and the implications they have for energy efficiency policy. It addresses the question of how the required step change in the energy efficiency of the economy can be achieved, and how this will fit in with other options for moving towards a low carbon economy.