Yesterday (12 October), we virtually attended the European Alliance to Save Energy hybrid conference in Brussels to discuss energy efficiency as a cost-effective decarbonisation solution to achieve the EU Green Deal. The European Green Deal is a collection of policy initiatives, which will put the EU on the path to a green transition and reach the goal of climate neutrality by 2050[1].
What was discussed?
The main comeback following this conference was that, in governmental talks, energy efficiency is not given the priority it deserves, necessitating a collective re-evaluation by organisations, alliances, and individuals to understand its significance and how to achieve it. In the context of long-term industrial policy solutions, there is a goal to double progress in energy efficiency by 2030 – which was endorsed by 46 global governments during a global conference in Versailles last week. Unfortunately, renewable energy continues to dominate government discussions, with energy efficiency receiving limited attention.
What is the UK doing?
With significant experience in cleantech, sustainability and the circular economy, Prova has been working with clients for more than 20 years on campaigns aiming to drive energy efficiency. While it has been on the business agenda for decades, security of supply issues and recent market volatility, has made the topic of energy efficiency more pressing than ever before.
While the government’s recent net zero backtrack has topped the headlines, its commitment to energy efficiency shouldn’t be written off. From spending over £4 billion[2] to reduce reliance on gas for over half a million homes, to setting targets for all new cars and vans to be entirely zero emission[3], the government has laid out a plan to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. As well as this, in Autumn last year, the Chancellor announced an Energy Efficiency Taskforce[4]. This Taskforce plans to reduce total UK energy demand by 15 per cent by 2030, across commercial and domestic buildings, which will, ideally, cut bills and help to reduce inflation.
But why is energy efficiency so important?
First and foremost, energy efficiency is essential for combatting climate change. The consumption of fossil fuels for energy is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions[5], accounting for over 75 per cent. By making energy efficiency a daily priority, we can significantly reduce our global carbon footprint. This ongoing commitment to lower energy consumption is crucial in the race against global warming, as it helps slow down the catastrophic effects of rising temperatures and extreme weather events: Wildfires across Europe, deadly fires in Hawaii[6], the hottest summer ever recorded[7], floods in Libya[8] – the list is endless!
Not only will being energy efficient contribute to climate balance, but embracing energy efficiency as an everyday practice means that we will consequently reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and enhance energy independence.
Moreover, reduced energy consumption means lower utility bills for households and businesses. By implementing energy-efficient practices and technologies, individuals and organisations can save money. This financial relief can have a substantial and lasting impact on people’s lives and the bottom lines of businesses. However, it’s important to acknowledge the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy prices. A silver lining is that this volatility is focusing efforts on ways to curb energy use. In fact, almost half of adults in the UK are using less fuels, such as gas or electricity, in their homes due to the crisis[9].
To make energy efficiency a strong commitment, we need ongoing education and awareness campaigns, as well as government incentives and industry support. These efforts can help individuals and organisations understand the benefits of energy efficiency and provide the tools and resources needed to implement energy-saving measures consistently.
It’s fair to say that the Energy Efficiency conference served a valuable reminder to the importance of conserving energy, but we must recognise that energy efficiency should be a practice in all of our lives, rather than just an institutional priority: The global challenges of climate change, energy security and economic stability require a sustained commitment to reducing energy consumption. By making energy efficiency a part of our daily lives, we can create a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for ourselves and the generations to come.
[1] European Green Deal – Consilium (europa.eu)
[2] Energy efficiency: what you need to know – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[3] UK electric vehicle infrastructure strategy – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[4] Government announces team of leading experts to boost energy efficiency – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[5] Causes and Effects of Climate Change | United Nations
[6] Extreme weather events of 2023 so far | Evening Standard
[7] ‘Smashed’: summer of 2023 the hottest ever recorded | Extreme weather | The Guardian
[8] Devastating floods in Libya | UNICEF
[9] Cost of living insights – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)