Stakeholder Position: IEE

 

Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill

 

The IEE believes that rising energy demand is the real Achilles heel of current energy policy.

 

This is particularly alarming, given the pivotal role of demand reduction in securing the key objectives of emission reductions, security of supply and the eradication of fuel poverty.

 

As an institution devoted to the promotion of technology, the IEE has long recognised the technological potential for energy conservation.

 

However, we also acknowledge that when it comes to achieving energy efficiency and sustainable electricity generation, technology is often the easy part.

 

What is less well understood is how increasingly sophisticated technological solutions, including microgeneration and energy efficiency measures, can be best encouraged, whether in the home, in business or in the public sector.

 

The full range of policy mechanisms, including information, incentives and legislation will be needed to halt or reverse the trends for increasing energy demand and rising greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Policy makers have a duty to explore all the options for the promotion of sustainable energy use.

 

Ultimately, what is required is nothing short of wholesale public engagement, and a culture change in public attitudes to energy.

Campaigns promoting personal and community responsibility for energy usage need to be pursued on a continuous basis in order to make energy conservation an integral part of everyday life.

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