“the energy consultant” league of families/ gezinsbond vzw christel verhas, phd director of...
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“The Energy Consultant”League of Families/
Gezinsbond vzw
Christel Verhas, PhD Director of Socio-cultural and Policy Work
League of Families - Gezinsbond
• Pluralist, inclusive– 280.000 members– 13.000 volunteers– 180 professionals
• Three pillars– Socio-cultural work– Benefits for
members– Policy advocacy
280.000 MEMBER FAMILIESrepresenting > 1 mio (out of 6.3 mio) Flemish citizens
13.000 VOLUNTEERS
• Local: 995 “sections”• Regional: 33 committees• Central:
– General Assembly (176 members)
– Administrative Council (24 members)
– President = volunteer!
180 PROFESSIONALS
• Social life at local level– Cultural activities– Education: e.g.
parenting support• Benefits for members
– Babysitters service– Reduction card
• Political action on behalf of families– Lobbying – Sensibilisation
Millenium Development Goals
7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
1: End poverty
3/4: Improve Maternal and Child Health
Source: NASA
EU2020 StrategySmart, sustainable and inclusive growth
Energy transitionEnergy poverty reductionSpecific targets:• 13 % energy from
renewable resources• 20 % increase in
energy efficiency• 20 million fewer
people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusionElectricity generated from renewable resources
Source: Eurostat
BelgiumFlanders in Action: Pact 2020
• Energy - improving efficiency & reducing consumption
• Eco-efficiency – reducing the energy consumption of buildings
• Poverty, Environment, Health Promotion,..
• Solidarity !
=> Flemish Energy Agency subvention for energy consultants project
Source: IGN
Renewable Energy in Belgium (2009)
• Renewable: 4.7% of total consumption
• Own production: 25% of consumption– Nuclear: 55% (phaseout)– Biomass/waste: 3.8%– Hydroelectric: 1.4%– Wind: +/- 2% (max 12%)– Solar:<2%
“Belgian weather”
Source: jana-en-aline.skynetblogs.be Source: FOD Economie, 2009
Energy consumption in Belgium (2009)
1/3 of Belgium’s energy consumption in 2010 could be attributed to “domestic” use
FAMILIES responsible for considerable share (>20%) on demand side
Source: FOD Economie, De Energiemarkt in 2009
Opportunities for impact
• Renovation of old, energy-inefficient housing– mostly detached, old buildings– LINK with “energy poverty”, family budget & health
• Low norms apply to new buildings• New small-scale technologies
– sun boilers, photovoltaic's, geothermal heating
• Liberalization of the energy market– Strong monopoly of public service provider (largely
nuclear production) – now waning
The “Energy House”
Source: www.gezinsbond.be/energiebesparen
Energy Consultants 2011-2013
• MAIN AIM: influencing climate change by reducing “demand” for domestic use
• Four main areas of activities– General information– Educational activities– Individual advice– Policy feedback
Energy Consultants 2011-2013
• General information– Website, various publications, “Energy tip”
• Educational activities– “Energetic” sections– Workshops: “Energy Accountancy”, “A bonnet for
your home”, “Grandma’s energy saving tips”,…– With League of Environmental organizations
(BBL): “Energy chase”
Energy Consultants 2011-2013
• Individual advice– Helpdesk– Energy meter lending service– Energy Audit and “Home Parties” – Rent-E-consultant: 5 “Mini scans”
• Policy feedback
The first year (2011) in numbers
• +/- 25.000 hits, 22 Energy tips and various publications
• 24 “energetic sections”, 41 educational activities, “Energy Accountancy” workshop
• 60-70 Helpdesk calls/month– Slow during summer– Busy after cancellation of financial support
• 5 home party and 16 mini scan requests
Success Factors
+ Experience in energy consultancy (6 years)
+ Links: consumer organization, socio-cultural, educational work, policy work
+ Cooperation with other actors- League of environmental organizations (“energy chase”)
- Treemagotchi (planned for website)
Barriers
- Dependence on timing (summer holidays) & planning of families
- Dependence on weather for scans
- Policy circumstances (e.g.. cancellation of supporting financial measures)
- Parties/scans victims of their own success
Policy Recommendations
• Clear communication on energy programs• Durable financial stimuli for investment in
energy efficient housing/innovative technology– set expiration date stimulates investment– communicate cancellation a year in advance– tailor made solutions for target groups
• Re: providers/technologies families indicate – need for independent advice from a trusted source– need for dependable services
Director Socio-cultural and Policy WorkChristel Verhas, PhD
Energy ConsultantsCharlotte Claessens & Pieter Ledeganck
European & international PolicyAagje Ieven
Contact Details