Energy Saving Obligations and White Certificates : Ideas and Considerations for the Transport Sector

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A literature review on the links between environmental regulation and competitiveness

The effects of environmental regulation on competitiveness is always a topic under debate for policymakers and practitioners. The article describes the different ways of defining and measuring the effects of environmental regulation on competition and market forces and synthesizes the most updated findings on the relationship between these dimensions. It also proposes an in depth analysis of the most recent empirical studies, with a particular focus on the buildings and construction (B&C) sector, which often is a substantial contributor to the most important countries’ economic indicators. We find that two variables have proved to be both (i) key in defining to what extent and under what conditions environmental regulation exerts adverse or positive effects on competitiveness and (ii) difficult to nail down: forms of regulation and responses by business.

Interactions between white certificates for energy efficiency and other energy and climate policy instruments

Energy is used as a basic factor for producing goods and services in the industrial and commercial sector globally and is also a vital commodity for our daily life, providing heating, cooling, cooking, transportation and the means for other activities. The use of energy is, however, a polluting activity with many externalities that are not taken into account in its final price. In fact, the conversion of primary energy (predominantly fossil fuels) to the various forms of final energy emits carbon dioxide (CO2), which is one of the greenhouse gases (GHG) responsible for global warming.</p

Tradable white certificate schemes:what can we learn from tradable green certificate schemes?

In this paper, we analyze the experiences gained from tradable green certificate (TGC) schemes and extract some policy lessons that can lead to a successful design of a market-based approach for energy efficiency improvement, alias tradable white certificate schemes. We use tradable green certificate schemes existing in the Netherlands and Sweden as case studies. Departing from an assessment of both TGC schemes, we identify several institutional and market aspects that have affected their performance. We conduct the analysis by addressing key evaluation criteria (i.e., cost and energy effectiveness, administrative burden, technological innovation, political feasibility, and transaction costs). It is not our intention to demonstrate to the reader a normative aspect of designing tradable white certificate schemes. Rather, we identify some key policy lessons which can be summarized as: a binding long-term target must be clearly expressed in terms of policy time frame and certainty, a proper liquid market must be ensured for tradability of certificates, the scheme should be technology neutral, transaction costs should be kept low, and the energy efficiency target should not only address ‘low hanging fruits’ but also promote innovation

Rewarding energy savings rather than energy efficiency: Exploring the concept of a feed-in tariff for energy savings

Financial incentives are important for overcoming certain market barriers to improved energy efficiency and for the adoption of energy efficient technologies. Financial incentives are mainly focused on the introduction of specific technologies, rather than behavioural change. While the declared goal of financial support schemes very often is to save energy or reduce harmful emissions rather than to foster new technologies per se, it is often encountered that such financial support for energy efficient technologies may not ensure real energy savings due to the rebound effect and various market barriers. In the area of renewable energies it is common for financial support to be given to power producers for the verified production of renewable electricity, in the form of a guaranteed financial incentive (feed-in tariff). In the energy efficiency policy research little attention has been paid to the possible use of a "feed-in tariff" in the form of a financial incentive based on the kWh saved by the end-user. This paper discusses the possible setup of a feed-in tariff designed to reward energy savings.JRC.F.7-Renewable Energ

Interactions between white certificates for energy efficiency and other energy and climate policy instruments

Energy is used as a basic factor for producing goods and services in the industrial and commercial sector globally and is also a vital commodity for our daily life, providing heating, cooling, cooking, transportation and the means for other activities. The use of energy is, however, a polluting activity with many externalities that are not taken into account in its final price. In fact, the conversion of primary energy (predominantly fossil fuels) to the various forms of final energy emits carbon dioxide (CO2), which is one of the greenhouse gases (GHG) responsible for global warming

Combining of energy efficiency obligations and alternative policies

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Feed-in Tariff for Energy Saving - Thinking of the Design

Financial incentives are important for the adoption of energy efficient technologies and overcoming certain market barriers to improved energy efficiency. Such incentives are broadly used in various environmental and energy fields and are usually associated with specific technology support, rather than a general sustainable behavioural change. While the declared goal of financial support schemes is to save energy or reduce harmful emissions rather than to foster new technologies per se, it is very often encountered that such financial support for energy efficient technologies does not ensure real energy savings due to the rebound effect and remaining barriers. It is common for financial support to be given to power producers for the verified production of renewable electricity, in the form of a guaranteed financial incentive (feed-in tariff). In the energy efficiency policy research little attention has been paid to the possible use of a feed-in tariff, in the form of a fixed financial incentive based on the kWh saved by the end-user. This paper discusses the possible setup of a feed-in tariff for energy savings. The paper first explores the rationale behind and the possible functionality of a feed-in for energy savings, giving examples of similar policy tools implemented or planned. The paper looks into additionality and persistency of energy savings and explores core interactions between the feed-in and existing tools for energy efficiency. Finally, key advantages and complexities related to a feed-in tariff scheme for energy savings are discussed, intending to open a discussion and foster further research on the topic.JRC.DG.F.8-Renewable Energy (Ispra