Implementing the Energy Efficiency First Principle in Regional Planning

Introduction

The EU Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle has been addressed to some extent in the National Energy and Climate Plans; however, when it comes to the regional and local governance levels, this principle is not yet explicit in the public debate.

Objectives

The overarching aim of REGIO1ST is to raise awareness about the EE1ST principle among the regional governments and their agencies. It supports them in making related decisions in their planning. The project pursues the following objectives:

1. Provide appropriate guidance to regional authorities to embed the EE1st principle in their decisions and implementation of their development and energy planning.
2. Start with six participant regions and expand to over 100 regions in the EU.
3. Establish a community of practice for EE1st in cooperation with the Covenant of Mayors to ensure political commitment from the regional authorities.
4. Support the introduction of EE1st in National Energy Action Plans and foster the enforcement of the Multilevel Climate and Energy Dialogue provision.

Tools and Methodology

This policy process will be assisted with a customized decision support tool for regions. The tool will include a citizen deliberation set of practices for engaging and eliciting preferences of stakeholders and citizens.

Expected Outcomes

The co-design of policy trajectories will bring EE1st to the core of the dialogue and increase its social acceptance.