Winning campaigns at the EU level

1. Winningcampaignsat the EU level A case study of the EnergyEfficiency Directive ETNAR Seminar27/05/2014

2. EnergyEfficiency • The cheapest, cleanest and most secure energy is that which a country doesn't use. It's in everybody's interest to use less energy • We can: • contribute to solving the climate crisis • reduce household bills by up to 1000 Euros every year • create millions of green jobs • Avoid false solutions such as shale gas and biofuels • Successful Europe wide action calls for strong political commitment. • A binding energy savings target is the crucial first step.

3. Decision-makingprocess • Draft (Commission) • First reading in Parliament • First Reading in Council • Trialogue • Implementation

4. Decision-makingprocess

5. EnergyEfficiency Directive: Before the proposalwaslaunched • The campaign was won or lost before the Commission proposal is released • Pro-active advocacy work is needed before this: • Own-initiative report on EE in Parliament set ambition • Influence the Commission during drafting • Push-back from member states and industry can be strong in this early phase • Preparation in member states to influence national decision-makers is vital • Rail-tour to key member states • Contact with FoE groups in member states

6. Campaignlaunch, Feb 2011

7. EnergyEfficiency Directive: EuropeanParliament • Members of the European Parliament should be the closest to citizens • Understand the key players, support the allies, and try to split the opponents • Rapporteurs for key committees • Greens were main allies, especially Claude Turmes • Develop contacts with assistants • Briefings, actions, t-shirts and posters • Positive result in Parliament

8. EnergyEfficiency Directive: EuropeanParliament Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4J1IdjG6qY

9. EnergyEfficiency Directive: European Council • Ministers from member states, represented in Brussels by “Permanent Representations” • Typically has a role in weakening the legislation, under pressure from national interests, especiallybig business • Partners/FoEE groups needed in order to apply pressure at national level • Targeting in Brussels and at national level • Weaker position from Council

10. EnergyEfficiency Directive: European Council Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJyZ4_Vjbyw

11. EnergyEfficiency Directive: European Commission • Unelectedofficials • Important to approach the key people (in EnergyEfficiency unit of DG Energy) as well as through a broad range of otherdepartments • Asking Commission to clarifyambiguous points during the trialogue, led to clarification notes beingreleased in line withour positions

12. EnergyEfficiency Directive: European Commission

13. EnergyEfficiency Directive: Other important elements • Become an expert: know your dossier, so people will call on you for information • Build a coalition • NGOs, but alsosomevoicesfromindustry • Build national level coalitions • Use the media • Press releases • Meetings with key journalists • Leaks and briefings • Blogs and opinion articles

14. EnergyEfficiency Directive: Victory? • The Energy Efficiency Directive does not include binding targets or clear requirements for buildings renovations – both crucial if Europe is to benefit environmentally and economically from energy savings • The central measure of the directive – an annual 1.5% savings target for energy companies – has effectively been reduced to 1%

15. EnergyEfficiency Directive: Implementation • Although the Directive has been approved, itstillneeds to beimplemented in all 28 EU member states • There are loopholes to beclosed, and pressure at national levelcouldstillmake a difference

16. EnergyEfficiency Directive: Other important elements • Don’tunderestimate the power of big business • Rules are needed tostop the excessive roleof business lobbying • Watch out for big push from business on deregulation, via TTIP