Energy sufficiency

Energy sufficiency

Overconsumption has become a pervasive issue in our society. Even if our products are increasingly using less energy, we consume more of them, perpetuating a vicious cycle of growing energy demand. Yet, in order to meet our climate targets, we need to consume differently and become more energy sufficient.

Energy sufficiency, the lesser-known cousin of energy efficiency, reduces the need for energy through changes in behaviour, lifestyle and collective organisation. Whereas energy efficiency depends on technologies to reduce energy consumption, sufficiency requires a level of consciousness on behalf of consumers and the choice they make on a daily basis.

The concept is far from new. Most of us likely perform energy sufficient measures in some form or another, whether for environmental, economic or multiple other reasons. For instance, hanging clothes outside to reduce energy bills or taking the bike to avoid traffic are habits that are both conscious and reduce the need to produce energy.

Energy sufficient measures have many positive impacts on our environment, climate, economy, and well-being, but are often overlooked by policymakers. However, we need policies and infrastructures to intrinsically support behavioural change without compromising citizens’ quality of life.

Ultimately, the goal is to reach a system where everyone has enough energy to cover their need and live comfortably, but not using too much to point of exceeding the limit of our environment.

Objectives

  • Support and inspire FEDARENE members to develop their internal sustainability work related to energy sufficiency
  • Organise webinars series and events to raise skills and highlight the know-how of FEDARENE members 
  • Identify good practices all over Europe through their objectives, targets, actions, results and outcomes
  • Involve FEDARENE partners in activities, projects or initiatives related to energy sufficiency

Best practices >

Cargo Bikes are an Energy Sufficient Solution to Urban Transport Needs

Cargo Bikes are an Energy Sufficient Solution to Urban Transport Needs

Discover the mission of Energikontor Sydost, to implement an energy sufficient approach to travel with a cargo bike instead of a car.

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Energy sufficiency in the Ile-de-France Region

Energy sufficiency in the Ile-de-France Region

Discover the measures implemented by AREC, the Regional Energy and Climate Agency of the Île-de-France region in order to support the behavioural change necessary for energy sufficiency.

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Innovative Solutions for Public Lighting in Smart Cities

Innovative Solutions for Public Lighting in Smart Cities

Learn about the experimentation of an innovative smart system for public street lighting, launched by the LIFE-DIADEME project by the AGIRE Energy Agency in Mantua, Italy.

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Raising awareness about Energy Sufficiency

Raising awareness about Energy Sufficiency

AREC Île-de-France launched a series of six workshops on energy sufficiency in order to integrate this issue into the regional energy and climate strategy. 

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Webinars >

12162Cycle E-Sufficiency webinar #1: consumers and buildings

Energy sufficiency: how to shape sustainable behaviours

The Covenant of Mayors – Europe, FEDARENE and AREC Île-de-France have organised this joint webinar on energy sufficiency – an unknown yet essential concept of the energy transition.

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7460Cycle E-Sufficiency webinar #1: consumers and buildings

Cycle E-Sufficiency webinar #3: digital sufficiency

Find out all about the concept of energy sufficiency and discover how FEDARENE members put it in practice across Europe.

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7447Cycle E-Sufficiency webinar #1: consumers and buildings

Cycle E-Sufficiency webinar #2: mobility and public space

Let's discuss the concept of energy sufficiency in the mobility sector. Discover best practices from FEDARENE members in Sweden.

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7455Cycle E-Sufficiency webinar #1: consumers and buildings

Cycle E-Sufficiency webinar #1: consumers and buildings

Let's have a discussion about energy sufficiency! Learn more about the concept and what exactly it entails in leading the energy transition.

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