Policy Instruments for the energy efficiency sector: enabling mechanisms for a "FIT for 55" efficient transition (PIREES55)

Project holders : 

• Marc Ringel ( European Chair for Sustainable Development and Climate Transition, Sciences Po)
• Cristina Peñasco ( University of Cambridge )

Research team : 

• Stefan Pollinger (Sciences Po) 
• Michele Fioretti (Sciences Po) 
• Roberto Rodriguez (CEE, Sciences Po) 
• Yamina Saheb (PSIA)
• Sébastien Treyer ( IDDRI)
• Xavier Timbeau (OFCE) 
• Claudia Canevari (DG Energy)
• Shiva Dustdar (EIB)

Project description : 

The fit for 55 package adopted on 14 July 2021 by the European Commission includes a modification of the energy efficiency directive (EED), aligning its provisions to the new -55% GHG target. The goal of PIREES55 is to shed light on the up streamed and down streamed enabling mechanisms needed to reach the proposed EC targets and how these can be translated into national policy guidelines and strategies. Especially, the residential sector stands out in this respect: It represented in 2020, on average, 27.4 % of final energy and almost 700 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents in the European Union. The UK shows different trends with an overall high energy consumption in households that reaches almost 30% of the total final energy consumption. Improving energy efficiency in buildings can substantially reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, while also stimulating job creation and making energy more affordable for households. The overall goal of this research project is to understand the factors both human, technical, political and policy-related to foster the successful implementation of policy instruments oriented to improve EE in residential buildings in Europe and in the UK.

Report of the Policy Instruments for the energy efficiency sector : enabling mechanisms for a "FIT for 55" Workshop

Poster of the project - July 2024

Articles related to the research project:

PENASCO, Cristina, From policy to practice: The role of national policy instruments and social barriers in UK energy efficiency adoption in households, Energy Policy, Volume 194, 18, 2024