“The Energy Consultant” League of Families/ Gezinsbond vzw Christel Verhas, PhD Director of Socio-cultural and Policy Work

League of Families - Gezinsbond Pluralist, inclusive – members – volunteers –180 professionals Three pillars –Socio-cultural work –Benefits for members –Policy advocacy

MEMBER FAMILIES representing > 1 mio (out of 6.3 mio) Flemish citizens 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

Millenium Development Goals 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability 1: End poverty 3/4: Improve Maternal and Child Health Source: NASA

EU2020 Strategy Smart, 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

Belgium Flanders 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.beSource: 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:

Energy Consultants 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 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 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 +/ hits, 22 Energy tips and various publications 24 “energetic sections”, 41 educational activities, “Energy Accountancy” workshop 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

Director Socio-cultural and Policy Work Christel Verhas, PhD Energy Consultants Charlotte Claessens & Pieter Ledeganck European & international Policy Aagje Ieven Contact Details