The missing “WHY” for energy efficiency – stronger narratives to drive progress in EU Member States

With the European Green Deal, energy efficiency (EE) has again been recognised as an important element of the EU’s political agenda. Policymakers are progressively understanding EE as a key enabler for cost-effective rapid decarbonisation of the energy system.

The Energy Efficiency Watch (EEW4) presents the findings of its new survey, which brings together the insights of over 1,200 experts on the progress in EE policies and key factors for narrative development in all EU Member States. The study established that the perceived progress in EE remains too slow across the EU27 and policy ambition seems more strongly maintained in the countries and regions where a consensus has been reached on “WHY” it should be done. This emphasises how effective narratives are needed to drive the energy transition and achieve Europe’s climate neutrality goal. The objective is to establish an overview of energy efficiency progress trends in the EU, to present the findings of the extensive EEW4 survey, case studies of narratives and recommendations for more effective narratives. Energy Efficiency Watch is an EU funded project, aiming at supporting policymakers in the EU Member States in improving the implementation of policy instruments for EE.

The event on Tuesday 26 October, 16.00 addresses decision-makers involved with EE policies at the local, regional, national and European levels, energy agencies and the energy efficiency community and experts. The event will open with 2 input presentations to set the scene, providing recent results of the Horizon2020 projects Odyssee-Mure and EEW4. The second part of the event will consist of a discussion between a panel and the audience on successful EE policies and how EE measures can be more successfully implemented.