28 February 2012 from 12-2pm; The Grimond Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons
The debate will bring together government representatives, MPs and some of the UK’s leading business representatives to discuss Common sense policy in an age of austerity: Why the UK needs a European framework for energy efficiency.
COMMON SENSE POLICY IN AN AGE OF AUSTERITY
WHY THE UK NEEDS A EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Greater energy efficiency is a critically important part of solution to help lift the UK out of the financial and economic crisis. In these difficult times, managing energy use is one of the most cost-effective solutions to stimulate a green economy.
The good news is that this solution is available. Energy efficiency is an area where British businesses excel and many of them already have technologies and services to help British citizens, communities and businesses save significant amounts of energy. Energy efficiency will also reduce the UK’s dependence on foreign energy supplies.
This will only be achievable if the coalition government supports the market transition through the appropriate regulatory tools by setting out a coherent and detailed plan for implementing the UK’s Green Deal and through supporting the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive. Yes the EU, because putting in place a regulatory framework for energy efficiency at the European level is the most effective way to give investors certainty in the energy efficiency market. A binding commitment for energy efficiency in Europe will also create opportunities for British companies to export their solutions, technologies and know-how into other European countries and create hundreds of thousands of local jobs, particularly in the UK’s ailing construction sector.
The UK has led the way in terms of recent energy efficiency policies and the Green Deal has the potential to be a landmark policy instrument that could be driven across the EU, driving UK businesses with it, but only if we support a strong European Energy Efficiency Directive. Moreover, whilst UK PLC will do well from exporting its policy instruments it has little to fear from the European Commission’s proposal except a situation where European consumers will be able to spend money on British goods and services rather than expensive energy.
The UK can and should lead the charge on energy efficiency in Europe; we have the experience, we have the know-how and leading British companies are supportive of European action.
Panelists:
- Caroline Lucas MP
- Alan Whitehead MP
- Monica Frassoni, President of the European Alliance to Save Energy
- Tony Robson, Group CEO of Knauf Insulation
- Sumir Karayi, CEO of 1E
- Martin Schaer, Vice President, Siemens Building Technologies Division
Moderated by Fiona Harvey, Environment Correspondent, The Guardian
