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National lobbying used to be dominated by old-boys networks and their favorite tools were heavy whiskeys, expensive cigars and sometimes even cash. But politics have changed and so has lobbying. A modern advocacy strategy for energy efficiency will consist of a multi-voice-lobbying which bundles positions and activities of like minded but unusual stakeholders such as businesses and NGOs in order to “trim-tab” common interests and create a broader political space for energy efficiency.
This session will include:
Unhealthy buildings cost European societies billions of Euro every year. Today an estimated 80 million Europeans live in damp and unhealthy homes. Europe needs not only energy efficient buildings, but also healthy and affordable buildings that increase the health and well-being of the people living and working in them. 2016 is the year where the European Commission will deliver on the Energy Union, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). But how do we ensure Europeans’ health and affordable buildings when revising the Energy Performance of Buildings directive and revising national building legislation?
This session will feature:
Article 7 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) requires Member States to achieve 1.5% final energy savings every year until 2020. In 2016, the Commission is expected to revise this key provision of the EED in view of extending its implementation beyond 2020. Although Article 7 has only been effective since 2014, there is evidence that it is driving national energy efficiency measures: Member States’ plans – thanks to the flexibility of the Article – are expected to lead to 101 Mtoe (4,229 PJ) savings by 2020.
There is however room for improvement in the implementation of this policy tool in order to tap into the energy savings cost-effective potentials that are still available. In this session, we would like to provide some insight on the current developments regarding the EED review, trigger further discussion about lessons to be learnt from the national implementation of Article 7 and exchange views on different options to improving its provisions after 2020.
This session will explore the opportunities for cities to go beyond a single solution to urban efficiency by applying a set of interrelated solutions: efficient lighting, building efficiency, and district energy. With support from the UN Sustainable Energy for All’s Global Energy Efficiency Accelerator Platform, each of these solutions is available to help drive action and commitments by leaders at the country, city, state, region, or sector level.
After a brief discussion of the interactions among these urban efficiency solutions, the majority of the session will be a roundtable discussion among cities and city stakeholders focusing on how those solution sets are, or can be, applied in their cities; where the challenges and opportunities have been; and learning and hearing from their peers.
This Informal Session will be the opportunity for participants to get an insight into how the EU policy sphere works regarding energy efficiency in buildings, and how it can dramatically shape national policy and business. It will also be a good forum to discuss the best way(s) forward in terms of policy innovations to improve the context around energy renovation of buildings and implementation of measures.
So, if you want to have your say in the debate at EU level, and in turn shape energy efficiency in buildings policy at national level for years to come, join us to discuss what needs to be done at EU level for the EPBD and EED revision to deliver jobs and growth for CEE countries!
Why is it so hard to engage with the mainstream public about energy-saving renovation, and why do conservative politicians and property owners often show little interest in it even when it makes such strong economic sense?
George Marshall is the founder of Climate Outreach, the leading European organisation in the field of climate change communications which has specialised in developing messages for new and challenging audiences. In his workshop he will draw on a wide range of social and psychological research to show that the most effective messaging is based on people’s values and identity not simply how much money they can save on energy bills.