The missing “WHY” for energy efficiency – EEW4 Survey Results

the Energy Efficiency Watch (EEW), an EU-funded project, publishes the results of its new EU-wide experts survey “The missing “WHY” for energy efficiency“.

The survey results compile the opinions and insights of 1,270 energy efficiency experts in all Member States and provides valuable information that can help put the EU on the path to climate neutrality.

The survey presents how energy experts see the “real-life” progress of energy efficiency policies in their own country. It
was also designed to contribute to a deeper understanding of what constitutes a successful narrative for energy efficiency and the current positioning of energy efficiency in the public debate.

The study establishes that the perceived energy efficiency progress remains too slow across the EU27 and new dynamics are lacking. Policy ambition seems more strongly maintained, despite political changes, in the countries or regions where a consensus has been reached on “WHY” it should be done. This emphasises how effective and strong narratives are needed to drive the energy transition and achieve Europe’s climate neutrality goal. The survey results provide interesting new insights for this process on EU level and in each country.

Christiane Egger, Deputy Manager of the OÖ Energiesparverband (ESV) and main author of the study, commented: “Across all Member States, the survey results show that more attention needs to be paid to the positive economic impacts of energy efficiency on jobs, industry and competitiveness to gain the buy-in and participation of influential stakeholder groups.” A key finding of the study is that we need to strengthen the link between economic elements and energy efficiency in the public debate, and require better data showing these benefits beyond climate protection and cost savings.