The first briefing paper in the Sustainable Energy Security series. It considers the under-utilisation of Europe’s energy savings potential, and argues that the cheapest, fastest and most reliable way to de-carbonise our society is to invest in energy savings and behavioural change.
Energy Efficiency and Savings: the under-utilisation of Europe’s energy savings potential
Are we trying to look at how we use energy today, or simply at how we replace it? Objectively speaking, anything other than energy demand reduction, is a short-term solution. This introductory document outlines why, given the gravity of the inter-related energy and climate crises, the cheapest, fastest and most reliable way to de-carbonise our society is to invest in energy savings and behavioural change. As individuals, we can all share the joys of a simple, spirit-led life. To do so, we need to develop a new, closer relationship with the energy we use, which will encourage us to value it more, and to use it less.
Accompanying Open Letter
QCEA sent the energy efficiency and savings briefing paper, with the following open letter, to the European Commission, European Parliament and Member State permanent representations, encouraging them to be courageous and ambitious in their legislating.
Download the open letter accompaning the Energy Efficiency and Savings briefing paper (PDF – 65 KB)