Winning campaigns at the EU level

A case study of the Energy Efficiency Directive

ETNAR Seminar27/05/2014

Energy Efficiency

The cheapest, cleanest and most secure energy is that which a country doesn't use. It's in everybody's interest to use less energyWe can:

contribute to solving the climate crisisreduce household bills by up to 1000 Euros every yearcreate millions of green jobsAvoid false solutions such as shale gas and biofuels

Successful Europe wide action calls for strong political commitment. A binding energy savings target is the crucial first step.

Decision-making process

Draft (Commission)First reading in ParliamentFirst Reading in CouncilTrialogueImplementation

Decision-making process

Draft (

Commiss

ion)

First r

eadin

g in P

arliam

ent

First R

eadin

g in C

ounc

il

Trialog

ue

Imple

mentat

ion

Ability to influence

Ability to influence

Energy Efficiency Directive: Before the proposal was launched

The campaign was won or lost before the Commission proposal is releasedPro-active advocacy work is needed before this:

Own-initiative report on EE in Parliament set ambitionInfluence the Commission during drafting

Push-back from member states and industry can be strong in this early phasePreparation in member states to influence national decision-makers is vital

Rail-tour to key member statesContact with FoE groups in member states

Campaign launch, Feb 2011

Energy Efficiency Directive: European Parliament

Members of the European Parliament should be the closest to citizensUnderstand the key players, support the allies, and try to split the opponents

Rapporteurs for key committeesGreens were main allies, especially Claude Turmes

Develop contacts with assistantsBriefings, actions, t-shirts and postersPositive result in Parliament

Energy Efficiency Directive: European Parliament

Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4J1IdjG6qY

Energy Efficiency Directive: European Council

Ministers from member states, represented in Brussels by “Permanent Representations”Typically has a role in weakening the legislation, under pressure from national interests, especially big businessPartners/FoEE groups needed in order to apply pressure at national levelTargeting in Brussels and at national level

Weaker position from Council

Energy Efficiency Directive: European Council

Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJyZ4_Vjbyw

Energy Efficiency Directive: European Commission

Unelected officialsImportant to approach the key people (in Energy Efficiency unit of DG Energy) as well as through a broad range of other departmentsAsking Commission to clarify ambiguous points during the trialogue, led to clarification notes being released in line with our positions

Energy Efficiency Directive: European Commission

Energy Efficiency Directive: Other important elements

Become an expert: know your dossier, so people will call on you for information Build a coalition

NGOs, but also some voices from industryBuild national level coalitions

Use the mediaPress releasesMeetings with key journalistsLeaks and briefingsBlogs and opinion articles

Energy Efficiency Directive: Victory?

The Energy Efficiency Directive does not include binding targets or clear requirements for buildings renovations – both crucial if Europe is to benefit environmentally and economically from energy savingsThe central measure of the directive – an annual 1.5% savings target for energy companies – has effectively been reduced to 1%

Energy Efficiency Directive: Implementation

Although the Directive has been approved, it still needs to be implemented in all 28 EU member statesThere are loopholes to be closed, and pressure at national level could still make a difference

Energy Efficiency Directive: Other important elements

Don’t underestimate the power of big businessRules are needed tostop the excessive roleof business lobbyingWatch out for big push from business on deregulation, via TTIP