Energy efficiency handbook now available

The Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) has launched the first edition of the Australian Energy Efficiency Policy Handbook — a comprehensive guide to the policies that are essential to drive ambitious energy efficiency improvements in Australia.

Developed in close consultation with experts from across Australia’s energy sector, the handbook provides state and federal governments with a detailed plan and evidence-based recommendations for driving a step change in energy efficiency across all sectors of the Australian economy. As noted by EEC Chief Executive Officer Luke Menzel, “Energy efficiency has become a major global issue over the past decade and has gained significant momentum in Australia in the last year.”

Menzel noted that the Australian Government has “set a target to improve energy productivity by 40% by 2030 — but on our current trajectory we will fail to meet this target”. The handbook therefore aims to kick-start a discussion about the actions necessary to meet this target, setting out a suite of evidence-based recommendations.

“We want to spark genuine debate among businesses, academics, governments and the broader community, and to build consensus on what constitutes sensible, stable energy efficiency policy in Australia,” he said.

“We need strong government leadership and new energy efficiency policies that remove barriers and correct well-known market distortions.”

The EEC will be consulting on the handbook in 2017, with a view to developing a second edition that takes into account any feedback received as well as new data that becomes available. The first edition is available to view at www.eec.org.au/handbook.