27 November - Energy Efficiency - Managing our Energy Demand, Win-Win Opportunities and Funding Transition

Energy efficiency is a vital part of reducing emissions, increasing energy security and mitigating the broader social and environmental footprint of our demand. To deliver by 2020 we not only need to change the patterns of our energy supply but also reduce the levels of demand. At present energy use can be highly inefficient and there exists an opportunity for major savings in terms of energy and costs available if only we can put in place the policy mechanisms to unlock them.

While the EU has adopted ambitious targets for example to promote renewable energy supply, energy efficiency has often been neglected. With the finalisation of the recast proposals on energy efficiency in buildings, energy using products and ecodesign. Directives Europe has taken a step towards improving efficiency action but there remain many issues to address.

This session examined the needs for action on energy efficiency, how best to take forward efforts in the current Parliamentary term and what important debates lie ahead.

The session included the following presentations:

• Introduction to energy efficiency - Pernille Schiellerup, Head of IEEPs' Climate and Energy Programme
• The existing state of policy on efficiency in Europe - Carolina Valsecchi, IEEP Analyst specialising in energy policy
• Win-wins: the social co-benefits of efficiency - Pernille Schiellerup, Head of IEEPs' Climate and Energy Programme
• Maximising funding opportunities for energy efficiency and delivering robust funding systems - Jane Desbarats, IEEP Analyst on energy systems

In support of participants the following materials are available:

• Guide to the EU institutions and decision making processes
• A-Z Quick Guide to important EU terms and concepts
• Glossary of commonly used EU acronyms
• Briefing on the energy efficiency policy context in the EU