Designing Policies that Work the experience of DCCAE Rebecca Minch, Energy Efficiency & Affordability Rebecca.minch@dccae.gov.ie Energy Action Annual Conference, Croke Park, 29 March 2018

Overview Policy context Tackling energy poverty and climate change Energy efficiency as a policy enabler Policy cooperation Case study: Warmth & Wellbeing Capturing the multiple benefits Policy development Expanding Warmer Homes measures

Policy context Inform: make the case for the low carbon journey Enable: understand and support decision making Conserve: energy conservation renewable sources Connect: with wider Government policy Benefit: data on multiple benefits Communicate: with huge range of stakeholders

Policy cooperation: Warmth & Wellbeing €20m from DCCAE 2016-18 to provide upgrades to homes of people with chronic respiratory conditions (over 55 and under 12) 900-1000 homes @ c.€20k - Community Health Organisation 7 Initial assessment by local public health team Health Services Executive (HSE); referral to Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for survey and works External wall insulation; heating system upgrades(incl. renewable); ventilation; air quality sensors

Policy cooperation: Warmth & Wellbeing Inspired by IEA work on multiple benefits and “Warm-Up New Zealand” Objective: to validate the international evidence of indirect benefits of energy efficiency on health in an Irish context National Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty (2016); National Climate Change Mitigation Plan Joint policy initiative between DCCAE and Dept of Health – Healthy Ireland Initiative

Policy cooperation: capturing multiple benefits Resourcing and governance Initiated with specialist health sector advisory support ‘Translating’ across policy, agencies and specialist groups Building cross cutting capacity Participant recruitment and support Local communications and networks – it’s not easy… Trusted advisors; participant centred Vulnerable participants Making the business case Research data; individual narratives; capital planning; scalability

Policy Development: Warmer Homes €24m allocated for 2018 (€16m in 2016); operated by SEAI; 130,000 homes in total Existing measures Insulation (attic & cavity wall), draught proofing, lagging jackets – average per home €3000. Additional measures Internal and external wall insulation Renewable heating systems to be offered Open to households that previously applied/received works

Policy Development: Warmer Homes Drivers Improved citizen focus – responding to client experience Supporting better health and social inclusion outcomes A whole house solution – getting at hard to treat homes Switching away from fossil fuels – decarbonisation of heat Air quality Supply chain and delivery capacity development What we hope to achieve A more compelling case for householder uptake and greater participation in action on climate change Cross-cutting policy understanding of multiple benefits of energy efficiency and its practical value as a policy enabler