Monitoring climate and energy policy implementation – How to take a step forward

Panel: 4. Monitoring and evaluation for a wise, just and inclusive transition

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Barbara Petelin Visočnik, Josef Stefan Institute (IJS), Energy Efficiency Centre, Slovenia
Andreja Urbančič, Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
Matjaž Česen, Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
Tadeja Janša, Jožef Stefan Institute, Slovenia

Abstract

This paper describes the establishment of the Climate Action Mirror, an integrated national climate action monitoring system in Slovenia. The main aim of the Mirror was to encourage policymakers to use analyses more to track the progress of the implementation of climate actions and thus to steer these activities towards a climate-neutral society.

The system was developed in three annual cycles, in consultation with stakeholders and including a wide network of experts. It is expected that the system is going to be further used and developed to monitor the decarbonization and energy efficiency dimensions of the National Energy and Climate Plan.

The monitoring system is based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the implementation of measures for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction in all IPCC sectors, including energy efficiency measures. It consists of: (a) the evaluation of compliance with targets (GHG emissions, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources (RES)), (b) sectoral progress tracking indicators (e.g. energy savings in buildings), (c) qualitative overviews of the implementation of measures, (d) financial data, and (e) a detailed analysis of the measures in focus (e.g. incentives for district heating, the energy renovation of public buildings, energy poverty).

Recommendations for corrective actions are prepared based on these analyses and in close consultation with the responsible ministries, in support of the ‘plan-do-check-act’ cycle in the framework of climate and energy policy. The results and recommendations are further discussed with the relevant stakeholders and interested members of the public in order to summarize the most important findings for decision-making. Based on the results, the responsible ministry reports annually to the Government. The results are also communicated to the general public.

Monitoring climate and energy policy implementation has proved to be a very complex task. Besides the relevant data, the participation of stakeholders is essential for gaining access to information, improving analytical skills enabling results to be used, and discussing recommendations for the corrective actions that they (mostly) will have to put into practice.

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