Mr L.J. Brinkhorst, the Dutch minister of Economic Affairs, commented at the Amsterdam Conference on Sustainable Energy in November that cost-effectiveness is the overriding concern in energy policy. A strong government role in energy efficiency is needed due to market failures. As soon as the government withdraws, energy savings disappear.
He also said that we need to install an energy saving culture, as well as an ambitious energy policy to increase security of supply, counter rising prices and climate change.
December 14th, 2005
A recent report by Hans Nilsson (4-Fact) and Ylva Blume (Borgco) discusses the complex nature of energy efficiency (EE). Although it is the ‘quickest, largest and cheapest potential’ to contribute to Europe’s energy policy objectives, it is also the most complex potential. This derives from the fact that EE is not a tradable good, but a characteristic embedded, and hidden in our energy systems.
There is no ’silver bullet’ solution to this paradox. The report calls for initiatives that make EE ‘available and attractive’, laying the groundwork for policy packages that go beyond mere incentives.
Certificates and commitments for energy efficiency have the potential to strengthen the distribution of efficiency, for example through ESCO’s.
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October 16th, 2005