Creating a Carbon Market

Abstract

The emphasis of policy needs to change from greater energy efficiency to energy conservation and carbon saving. This reflects the progress that has been made in identifying the opportunities for improved energy efficiency and the accompanying failure to reduce total energy consumption. The focus on carbon dioxide would align energy policies with climate change targets more precisely.The debate increasingly needs to incorporate the role of fuel-switching at the household level and the contribution that can make in achieving carbon savings. This paper will examine the issues involved in these debates and specifically:the labelling of gas and electric appliances;the market transformation of systems, rather than products;the interplay with supply-side policies (extent of the gas network); household carbon targets, both for suppliers and for consumers;promotion of household-level renewable energy supply (e.g., solar thermal).The widespread understanding of appliance energy use developed in Europe must be placed in this wider context as a contribution towards future sustainability.

The debate increasingly needs to incorporate the role of fuel-switching at the household level and the contribution that can make in achieving carbon savings. This paper will examine the issues involved in these debates and specifically:

• the labelling of gas and electric appliances;

• the market transformation of systems, rather than products;

• the interplay with supply-side policies (extent of the gas network);

• household carbon targets, both for suppliers and for consumers;

• promotion of household-level renewable energy supply (e.g., solar thermal).

The widespread understanding of appliance energy use developed in Europe must be placed in this wider context as a contribution towards future sustainability.