policies

Knowledge Package

Article 7 of the EED: Will MSs Achieve their Energy Savings Targets?

Article 7 of the EED: Will MSs Achieve their Energy Savings Targets? | Fotolia © lucadp
Article 7 of the Energy Efficiency Directive obliges Member States to develop an Energy Efficiency Obligation scheme or/and use alternative measures like energy certificates, minimum energy performance requirements etc. After 2012, Member States were obliged to report their planned measures through National Energy Efficiency Action Plans. This knowledge package provides an overview of how Member States have implemented the Article 7.Read more
Knowledge Package

Energy Efficiency Policy Instruments in the European Union

Energy Efficiency Policy Instruments in the European Union | Fotolia © Eisenhans
Energy Efficiency Obligations are the cornerstone of the Energy Efficiency Directive from 2012. Under such obligations energy companies are responsible for generating energy savings. This policy was already successfully implemented in 6 EU Member States. Other policies like nearly zero energy buildings and energy certification are also planned. This knowledge package investigates the range of energy efficiency policies that are...Read more
Knowledge Package

Household Contribution to Buildings' Carbon Footprint

Fotolia © Brian Jackson
Households remain one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector, due to their energy consumptions, with certain Member States having thrice or more the household emission footprint than others. The efforts carried out to minimize their emissions have brought certain results, but more actions are considered necessary. Improvement of households' energy efficiency is a...Read more
Knowledge Package

History of the UN Climate Negotiations - Part 2 - from 2011 to 2015

Fotolia © pathdoc
Several factors led to uncertainty and complexity as well as scepticism on the likelihood of reaching an effective agreement in the post-Copenhagen process, including the shift in the UNFCCC negotiation process from a top-down approach to a more flexible system of country-led individual targets and a growing realisation among developing countries about the need to take an active role in...Read more
Knowledge Package

History of the UN Climate Negotiations - Part 1 - from the 1980's to 2010

Flickr © Takver
Based on first scientific insights on climate change, policy makers agreed in 1992 on a UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Since then, the UNFCCC has been the basis for climate negotiations with the Kyoto Protocol (1997), the Marrakech Accords (2001) and the Cancun Agreements (2010) as major milestones. This Knowledge Package explains how climate policy making has increasingly...Read more
Knowledge Package

The European Climate Policy Mix

Fotolia © krasyuk
To realise the savings aimed at with the 20-20-20% targets for 2020, the European Union has introduced a mix of climate policies, using a variety of policy instruments and targeting all economic sectors. The different policies have fulfilled their purpose with varying success and different performances regarding environmental and cost effectiveness, as well as additional impacts on society. Read more
Knowledge Package

Cost-Effectiveness of EU Renewable Energy Support Systems

Fotolia © mindscanner
Renewable energy support schemes need to be well designed in order to bring forth the desired outcome, not only regarding the achievement of targets (effectiveness) but also regarding the achievement at lowest costs possible (cost-effectiveness). This knowledge package focuses on the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy support schemes within the EU and highlights design features indispensable in creating cost-effective renewable support.Read more
Knowledge Package

Adaptation Policy in the EU – An Overview

Fotolia © hansenn
The European Commission introduced the EU Adaptation Strategy in 2013. The strategy sets out a framework and mechanisms for preparing the EU for current and future climate impacts. The strategy has three main objectives: promoting action by Member States; promoting better-informed decision-making; and promoting adaptation in key vulnerable sectors. On a national level, many Member States have adopted National Adaptation Strategies.Read more
Knowledge Package

Interactions between Climate Policies: Examples from Europe

Fotolia © chungking
Policies to address climate change mitigation that have been deployed in parallel may interact with each other, with positive or negative effects for emission reductions and for cost-effectiveness. This Knowledge Package presents examples from European Union climate policy, renewable energy policy and energy efficiency policy.Read more
Knowledge Package

Interactions between Climate Policies: Opportunities and Pitfalls

Fotolia © vege
Policies to address climate change mitigation that have been deployed in parallel may interact with each other, with positive or negative effects for emission reductions and for cost-effectiveness. This Knowledge Package explains the economic theory behind such policy interactions and discusses why even with a carbon price (such as that generated by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme) the introduction of...Read more

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