A European Energy Dialogue

Transcription

1 A European Energy Dialogue Exploring the needs and methods of public involvement and engagement in the energy policy field TEN/503 Rapporteur: Richard Adams

2 1. Introduction 2. Context 3. The policy framework Contents 4. Enhancing and building on existing participation mechanisms 5. Achieving public involvement and engagement: a European Energy Dialogue 6. Aspirations and a vision for a European Energy Dialogue 7. Implementation

3 Introduction Extensive preliminary work on public/policy disconnects and need for innovative approach November 2012 meeting with Commissioner Oettinger His positive encouragement and EC request to explore how public involvement can support energy policy Development of TEN/503 and wide ranging discussions Spring 2013 Commissioner Oettinger will come to EESC to discuss our findings

4 Policy Influences on Energy Technical Harmonisation Internal Market Tax approximation Public Procurement Environmental Policy Research Promotion of Renewables/CHP Infrastructure Investor Perceptions Competition Policy External Relations

5 Policy Objective for Energy Sustainable Competitive MS/EU Policy Secure

6 Policy Foundation for Energy Involvement Participation Sustainable Engagement Confidence Trust Competitive MS/EU Policy Secure Dialogue

7 Context Objective: energy supplies that are: Secure, Competitive (affordable) and Sustainable Difficulties: Policy fragmentation and inconsistencies An EU strategic vision lacking consistent implementation Excessive consumer, social and political cost Lack of trust at many levels Why? Perception of different national strategic interests, resources and traditions.

8 Agreement and divergence AGREEMENT Absolute priority - keeping the lights on - ultimately overrides almost anything Increasing movement to electricity Energy efficiency and savings (in principle) Modernisation, interconnection, investment (in principle but on own terms) DIVERGENCE Composition of energy mix Market organisation and executive/legislative framework Purchase and supply Tax structure and financing External relationships

9 Agreement Lights must stay on. Efficiency and savings

10 Divergence Energy mix and acceptability

11 Bridging the gap What is technically and economically possible. What is feasible: politically and socially acceptable to stakeholders. EU/MS policy

12 Bridging the gap how? Energy transition not a priority and may lack true ownership by some Member States and may not engage with citizens in terms of trade-offs and preferences No proper framework in place for a citizen/stakeholder dialogue about the energy mix in most MS. Vital to inform EU policy and feed back the European dimension into national debates key stakeholders need to be convinced An ambitious, co-ordinated programme of public engagement, involvement and action Raise the level of debate and understanding among the general public Give policy makers greater confidence in going forward.

13 A European Energy Dialogue (EED) The Vision By 2016 citizens and civil society organisations will be engaged in the European Energy Dialogue, a co-ordinated multi-level conversation within and across all member states. It will be recognised as having a measurable influence on policy-making across all forms of energy and be stimulating convergence at EU level, linking with the post energy and climate framework.

14 What the EED will offer A Europe-wide structured, action-oriented, conversation about energy issues Provide consumer s with what they want to know about energy From industry and policymakers perspective offer what the citizen needs to know, now and in the medium and long-term All energy issues should fall within its scope, including; infrastructure, energy sources and resources, markets, consumer issues, technologies, political and environmental issues, etc.

15 Existing initiatives EC run/sponsored Florence (Electricity regulators), Madrid (Gas) London (Consumer), Bucharest (Efficiency/RES) ENEF (Nuclear), Lech? (High Level) (variable effectiveness, not fully coordinated, not focussed on or ambitious about public involvement, scope for an Integrating forum in addition to EED? ) National initiatives Range from planned to non-existent little recognition of European dimension

16 Strategic issues for a European Energy Dialogue identify and prioritise actions to inform and empower civil society on energy issues identify stakeholders by their type of interest, level of knowledge, and resource capacity frame key issues so everyday knowledge and professional expertise can mutually interact develop a flexible conversationand action format adaptable in all MS which brings citizens closer to decision-making link dialogue with all levels of action on the demand side

17 Key objectives Converging and integrating at EU level national, recognising differing cultural and energy future landscapes multi-level, integrating national, regional, metropolitan and local role of public knowledge, views and values in helping all parties to reassess, adjust and adapt for an uncertain world accessible knowledge for the citizen firmly linked with action

18 Essential features Trusted by all participants Independent Reliable and authoritative Clear social and ethical principles

19 Ethical basis leading to generic framework The European Ethics Group report on energy (January 2013) suggests four core ethical principles Access to energy Sustainability Safety Security It states: "Participation is at the very core of social and political justice."

20 A framework Four principles (access, sustainability, safety, security) Generic framework for dialogue and action (process involving significant stakeholder input) Five questions.

21 Essential questions How do we ensure that everyone, individuals and industry, can afford the energy they need? Does our production and use of energy take account of the needs and impact on future generations? Have we assessed and balanced all the short and medium term risks involved in energy production and use? Are we certain that our energy supply is both stable and secure enough, given its essential role? What can we do about it?

22 From theory to reality The challenge: Redefine energy as a social issue and move it from a marginal to a mainstream topic of public understanding and discussion Talked about in the cafes, clubs, classrooms and kitchens of Europe

23 Essential elements Identify consumer and public benefit Highlight and encourages action possibilities (demand, supply and fiscal) EED becomes a trusted social brand for example...

24 Principles and action combined as a social brand A consumer guarantee of a social objective Licensed in over 50 countries 30%-85% citizen recognition across 15 EU countries, 3 billion sales 2012

25 European Energy Dialogue E =?! 2

26 Sponsors and funders of an EED Funders and Sponsors Major commercial energy stakeholders The investment community Research bodies and Foundations MS Govts. Primarily Sponsors Grassroots organizations EC, EESC, CoR, EP National ESCs EU representative bodies, BEUC, ETUC, BE, etc. National forum bodies e.g SEMF, Transition Energetique Other NGOs/CSOs Science institutions

27 A European Energy Dialogue (EED) The Beginning By 2016 citizens and civil society organisations will be engaged in the European Energy Dialogue, a co-ordinated multi-level conversation within and across all member states. It will be recognised as having a measurable influence on policy-making across all forms of energy and be stimulating convergence at EU level, linking with the post energy and climate framework. Thank you for your attention richard.adams@eesc.europa.eu