Global EE survey of stakeholders: Buildings offer greatest energy savings potential
Vienna, 01.12.2011 - REEEP International Secretariat
International community must develop common measuring and reporting methods
An online survey conducted by REEEP and eceee between 10th and 21st October 2011 obtained the views of 425 energy-related businesses, NGOs, academics, and national and local government officials from around the world.
Two-thirds of all stakeholders believe buildings offer the greatest potential for energy efficiency (EE) at the national level. Consumer behaviour and transport are also seen to have major energy savings potential, but significantly less so than buildings.
At the national level, stakeholders see labelling and building codes as the most effective policy tools for promoting EE in the near term. Utilities are also seen as critical players, both in increasing their own efficiency and in stimulating savings with consumers.
Respondents see the lack of political will and the related lack of EE incentives as the greatest barriers to EE at the national level. These are closely interlinked with other barriers such as the relatively low price of consumer fossil fuels, and the issue of split incentives where the investor is not the one to benefit from reduced energy costs.
Energy stakeholders worldwide see international processes as critical in order to:
- exchange best practices in EE policy
- develop common methodologies for measuring and reporting
- set EE targets alongside those for emission reduction
Survey respondents hailed from 87 countries, with the top five countries being India (8.2% of respondents), US (6.3%), Germany (5.6%), South Africa (4.3%), and Australia (4.3%). In terms of organisation type, the survey also drew a healthy mix, broken down as follows:
- NGO/non-profit: 19.7% of respondents
- Small/medium sized business: 16.2%
- Academic institution: 14.3%
- Self-employed: 11.0%
- National government: 9.3%
- International organisation: 6.7%
- Corporation: 6.5%
- Other: 16.3%
The full results summary of the survey can be downloaded here: