Energy Efficiency
ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICIES
Governments have developed a variety of policies to overcome the market barriers and failures that slow the implementation of cost-effective, energy-efficient technologies. The main types of policies are:
· Information, technical assistance and labels.
· Regulations and standards.
· Economic instruments.
· Voluntary agreements.
· Research, development and dissemination (RD&D).
· Public infrastructure planning and construction.
Information, Technical Assistance and Labels
Governments can improve energy efficiency by communicating and sharing information with the public. Lack of credible, unbiased information inhibits people from purchasing energy efficient products or using products in an energy efficient manner. This can be remedied. Information and technical assistance can be provided through regional efficiency centres, government offices, utilities or educational channels. Professional organisations and industrial associations also provide information and technical assistance to their members. Associations in a number of countries have established efficiency-improvement targets for industries or plants. Others have set out objectives and benchmarking criteria to enable performance comparisons. Both satisfy the need to motivate managers and provide staff with technical advice. Energy audits, technical information manuals and guidelines for professionals have shown good results. Some information and audit programmes back the rewards of direct efficiency gains with lower tax rates in return for commitments to reduce consumption. Denmark's "green tax" scheme provides a good example of such a policy.
Governments and other organisations can also stimulate efficiency improvements in public buildings and operations through leading by example in their own buildings. Measures include awareness campaigns to creating energy...
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