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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
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“The Energy Consultant”League of Families/ Gezinsbond vzwChristel 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
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 280.000 MEMBER FAMILIESrepresenting > 1 mio (out of 6.3 mio) Flemish citizens
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 transition Energy poverty reduction Specific targets: • 13 % energy from renewable resources • 20 % increase in energy efficiency • 20 million fewer people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion Electricity 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
Contact Details Director Socio-cultural and Policy Work Christel Verhas, PhD christel.verhas@gezinsbond.be Energy Consultants Charlotte Claessens & Pieter Ledeganck energieconsulent@gezinsbond.be European & international Policy Aagje Ieven euroregio@gezinsbond.be