Interdisciplinary Research on Energy Efficiency Standards and Climate Change Mitigation: Methods, Results, and Communication

Abstract

Energy efficiency regulations are one of the important policy packages employed for climate mitigation. Recent evaluations from the USA and the European Union (EU) indicate that the setting of minimum mandatory energy performance standards (MEPS) for different products—such as electric motors, TVs, and dishwashers—are among the best-performing climate policies and that these regulations are also cost-effective. In the EU, MEPS are adopted under the Ecodesign Directive. Despite the positive evaluations, MEPS have also come under criticism from media and some researchers, questioning their unintended effects and their cost-effectiveness. This chapter reflects the research of a five-year, interdisciplinary research program (2013–2018) which researched the effects and potential of the Ecodesign Directive. Multiple methods were employed in the project, which have resulted in various insights. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the main experiences with this interdisciplinary research project, including the variety of research methods, the ways the results have been communicated to policymakers and other actors outside academia, and the need for future research to better understand the interactions between resource efficiency and climate mitigation in the context of product regulation. Two issues of high importance in the climate change mitigation research arena are highlighted. The first issue concerns the need for research that looks at interactions between energy efficiency and resource efficiency in the case of MEPS, and the need to develop new methods and approaches. Secondly, in the case of the “policy mix” for effective climate mitigation, there is a need to develop new theories, and also to consider the political feasibility of proposed policies.

Annex: Published Project Publications

• Barford A, Dalhammar C (2015) Climate change and energy efficiency standards: a study of the UK media backlash to EU Ecodesign standards for vacuum cleaners. Working paper, IIIEE, Lund University.

• Dalhammar C (2014) Promoting energy and resource efficiency through the Ecodesign Directive. Scand Studies in Law Vol. 65.

• Dalhammar C (2014) The setting of ecodesign standards to promote improved waste re-cycling. Paper presented at the 25th Annual Conference of the Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste Management (JSMCWM), Hiroshima, Sep 2014.

• Dalhammar C (2014) Policies promoting ecodesign for energy and resource efficiency in Europe: experiences, barriers and future options. Paper presented at EcoBalance, Tsukuba, Oct 2014.

• Dalhammar C (2015) The Setting of Progressive Energy Efficiency Performance Standards for Products through the Ecodesign Directive. Nordic Env Law Journal 2015(1):21–41.

• Dalhammar C (2015) The application of ‘life cycle thinking’ in European environmental law: theory and Practice. Journal for European Env & Planning Law 12: 97–127.

• Dalhammar C (2016) Industry attitudes towards ecodesign standards for improved resource efficiency. Journal of Cleaner Production 123(1):155–166.

• Dalhammar C (2017) Rethinking the Ecodesign Policy Mix in Europe. In: Sustainability Through Innovation in Product Life Cycle Design. M. Matsumoto, K. Masui, S. Fukushige and S. Kondoh (Eds.) Singapore, Springer Singapore: 539–549.

• Dalhammar C, Kiss B, Machacek E (2013) The Top Runner and the Ecodesign Directive: what can we learn from current policies for product energy efficiency and how can we apply it in the construction sector? Presented at ECOPOL—Workshop Eco-innovation and public procurement markets in the habitat value chain- Good practices and policy instruments. Dec 5th, 2013, Lisbon, Portugal.

• Dalhammar C, Kiss B (2015) Regulating complex products: The policy mix for product and building energy efficiency. Paper presented at Global Cleaner Production & Sustainable Consumption Conference, Sitges, Nov 2015.

• Dalhammar C, Machacek E (2013) Addressing resource efficiency through the Ecodesign Directive: a review of opportunities and barriers. In proceeding from LCM2013, the 6th International Conference on Life Cycle Management in Gothenburg Aug 2013.

• Dalhammar C, Machacek E, Bundgaard A, Overgaard Zacho K, Remmen, A (2014) Addressing resource efficiency through the Ecodesign Directive: a review of opportunities and barriers. TemaNord Report 2014:511. Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers.

• Dalhammar C, Machacek E, Bundgaard A, Overgaard Zacho K, Remmen, A (2014). Addressing resource efficiency through the Ecodesign Directive—A review of opportunities and barriers. Policy Brief: Nordic Working Papers, Nordic Council of Ministers Copenhagen.

• Luth Richter J, Dalhammar C, van Buskirk R., Bennich P (2017) Accounting for durability in least life cycle cost methods. Proceedings from ECEEE2017, France.

• Machacek E, Dalhammar C (2013) Potential for rare earth element resource efficiency improvements in permanent magnet motors through and extension of the electric motor product group regulation under the Ecodesign Directive. In proceedings from LCM2013, the 6th International Conference on Life Cycle Management, Gothenburg Aug 2013.

• Maitre E, Dalhammar C (2016). Regulating planned obsolescence: a review of legal approaches to increase product durability and reparability in Europe. Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law (RECIEL) 25(3): 378–394.

• Sonnenschein J, Luth Richter J, Dalhammar C, van Buskirk R (2017) When prices don’t steer - mimicking ambitious carbon pricing with energy performance standards. Proceedings from ECEEE2017, France.

• Tasaki T, Koichi S, Nakajima K, Dalhammar C (2014) Application of Life Cycle Assessment and Economic Rationality: A Cost Survey. Paper presented at EcoBalance, Tsukuba, Oct 2014.