Policy

Germany tops list of best energy efficiency policies

Germany has topped a list of the best and worst energy efficiency policies drawn up by Ecofys and Germanwatch for WWF and E3G.

The report awarded the highest marks to the German government’s efficiency in buildings programme and its feed-in tariff scheme, which guarantees a fixed price for renewable energy generators for the next 20 years.

Germany’s building programme, which brings together standards, subsidised loans, grants and retrofit initiatives, could easily be replicated in other countries, says WWF.

Also taking top spots in the ranking was a green bus scheme in Mexico and the US programme to weatherising low income homes. China’s mandatory reduction targets for 1000 of the most energy-intensive enterprises is also praised for starting a shift towards energy-efficient production.

But at the other end of the spectrum, the report criticises the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme for not delivering the expected reductions in emissions. Coal mining and energy-intensive industries are also continue to be subsidised in many countries, says the report, which acts as a barrier to moving to a low-carbon economy.

“This report shows that governments which implement green and climate friendly solutions will win and take a leadership position in the world,” says Kim Carstensen of WWF. “Not investing in low carbon solutions nowadays is simply short-sighted.”

WWF and E3G released the report to coincide with the G20 Finance Ministers meeting in St Andrews in Scotland over the next two days.
The organisations want to see G20 commit to invest in green infrastructure and help developing countries build low-carbon economies and adapt to climate change.

“One-off green stimulus packages aren’t enough. What investors are looking for is long-term, legal and loud policy signals that governments are serious about the low carbon transition,” says Nick Mabey, CEO of E3G.

For further information:
www.panda.org/wwf_news/?179223/Climate-friendly-policies-pay-off-report-shows
www.e3g.org/

06 November 2009

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