Energy Efficiency Panel

The European Citizens’ Panel on Energy Efficiency has submitted its recommendations to the European Commission

At the end of the final session of the Panel, the citizens presented their recommendations to Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal.

Over three weekends, 150 randomly selected citizens representing all 27 EU Member States came together to discuss the challenges and benefits of energy efficiency most relevant to them.

Together, they put forward a list of concrete recommendations that will contribute to shaping future EU laws and feed into upcoming Commission initiatives. This includes the foreseen Commission proposal for a Recommendation on the “Energy Efficiency First Principle”.

Full list of recommendations

two citizens hand over the final recommendations to Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal.

How can the European Union bring the benefits of energy efficiency to citizens, public authorities and enterprises?

The European Citizens’ Panel on Energy Efficiency brought together 150 European citizens to discuss how energy is used in the EU and how the energy system may change in the future. This was timely in light of the recent energy crisis that confirmed the need for a cleaner and more secure EU energy system.

Participants focused on different aspects of energy efficiency that we might encounter at home, in our communities or in the workplace. Topics included, among others, how we heat our buildings, what kind of household appliances we buy, and what transport we use.

Results of the Panel and Follow-up

Based on past and ongoing work of the European Commission, the Panel put together a list of recommendations to feed into upcoming EU initiatives such as the “Energy Efficiency First” principle to ensure:

We produce only the energy we really need
We invest in viable projects
We use less energy and manage it in a cost-effective way

The European Commission plans to publish its very first proposal for a Recommendation on the “Energy Efficiency First” principle later in 2024.

To ensure transparency and accountability, a Feedback Event will be held at a later date, where Commission policymakers report on how citizens’ recommendations have been taken into account.

Timeline

The European Citizens’ Panel on Energy Efficiency took place over three weekends between February and April 2024

23-25 February
Session 1 - Brussels
- Exchange of first ideas participants find most promising for this exercise.
- Introduction to “energy efficiency”: what it means and what is already being done to improve it, both nationally and at EU level.
- Identifying the influence and impact of energy efficiency on our everyday lives, and ways to bring in its full benefits.
Recordings 23 February 2024 | 25 February 2024
15-17 March
Session 2 - online
- Stocktake of Session 1 and development of ideas by theme and topic.
- First phase of developing recommendations.
Recordings 15 March 2024 | 17 March 2024
12-14 April
Closing session - Brussels
- Drawing conclusions of debates and recommendations to the European Commission.
- Explanation of next steps – impact on policymaking and feedback moment.
Recordings 12 April 2024 | 14 April 2024