Abstract

Energy efficiency is a bargain for most actors in all sectors of the economy. They can reduce their energy use and at the same time increase the quality of the service.The cost to do so is normally a small fraction of the price of energy. It would amount to huge savings for them and for the society as whole. The tragedy, however, is that it does not happen.

This fact has been well documented by the energy efficiency community for decades. Lately it has also been shown by prestigious parties both in the private sector, e.g. the consultancy company McKinsey, and by international organisations such as the EU and in particular by the IEA.The latter has also verified that the lion’s share of the profitable potential will remain unharvested for decades to come - unless there will be a change of game.

Standard economic thinking says that eventually the market will mature. Behavioural economists and cognitive science has shown that mere facts about these opportunities are not sufficient as arguments to convince the actors responsible for operations and maintenance in industry and far less so individuals to act and realise the potential for efficiency improvements that they have. We must reconsider our approach and tell a better story that appeal to people in all sectors and to find narratives that encourage the necessary mobilisation of the efficiency market actors.

This is assumed to be presented as a display (=poster).

Panels of

1. The dynamics of limiting (energy) consumption

2. What's next in energy policy?

3. Policy and governance

4. Monitoring and evaluation for greater impact

5. Smart and sustainable communities

6. Transport and mobility

7. Make buildings policies great again

8. Buildings: technologies and systems beyond energy efficiency

9. Improving energy efficiency in ICT, appliances and products