Brussels, June 13, 2024 – e-SAFE once again had the privilege of participating in the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), continuing its longstanding commitment to advancing energy efficiency. Building on its previous engagements, e-SAFE first joined EUSEW in 2021 with an Energy Talk featuring Professor Gianpiero Evola from UNICT, titled "The e-SAFE solutions for the energy and seismic renovation of non-historic buildings." In 2022, e-SAFE showcased its innovations at the Energy Fair, a prominent event within the Networking Village. 

In the edition of this year, EUSEW focused on "Net-zero energy solutions for a competitive Europe," convening a diverse array of stakeholders including policymakers, industry representatives, businesses, civil society organizations, and citizens. This three-day policy conference in Brussels served as a pivotal platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing innovations, and forging partnerships aimed at driving Europe towards a sustainable and competitive future in energy.   

 One of the standout sessions focused on "Multilevel governance: addressing energy poverty in the energy transition era." This session highlighted the crucial role of well-coordinated multilevel governance strategies in combating energy poverty. Emphasizing collaboration across local, regional, national, and EU levels, the discussion underscored the importance of aligning local initiatives with broader national and European policies to effectively advance sustainable energy objectives. 

A significant point of discussion was the transposition of the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the launch of the Social Climate Fund. These initiatives are poised to empower local actors, enhancing their capacity to combat energy poverty. Participants explored ways to leverage these tools to support vulnerable households and improve energy efficiency across various regions. 

Challenges and Solutions in Scaling Up Local Initiatives  

The session identified several challenges that local and regional entities face when scaling up their initiatives. Key issues include: 

• Efficiency Funding and Building Capacity: Securing adequate funding and developing capacity are critical to the success of local energy efficiency projects. 
• Lack of National Definition of Energy Poverty: The absence of a standardized definition complicates efforts to address the issue uniformly across different regions. 
• Institutional Barriers and Bureaucracy: Varied institutional structures and bureaucratic burdens can impede the implementation of effective strategies. 
• Human Resource Constraints: A shortage of skilled personnel hampers the ability to execute and sustain energy efficiency initiatives. 
• Contextual Differences: What works in one locale may not be effective in another due to differing community needs and contexts. 
• Sustainability of Projects: Ensuring that initiatives continue to deliver benefits after the conclusion of initial projects is crucial.

The importance of community engagement and developing robust ecosystems of partnerships was also emphasized. Sharing experiences and best practices among local actors is essential for scaling up successful initiatives. 

Legislative Support and Future Recommendations 

The session explored how new EU legislation, such as the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Social Climate Fund, can enhance efforts to mitigate energy poverty. Key recommendations included: 

• Securing Adequate Funding: Ensuring sufficient financial resources for local projects. 
• National Building Renovation Plans: Leveraging these plans to drive large-scale renovations and improve energy efficiency. 
• Increasing Energy Independence: Focusing on funding and capacity building to reduce dependence on external energy sources. 
• Supporting Local Governments: Providing continuous support to local governments to maintain and expand energy poverty alleviation measures.  

Conclusion 

In conclusion, e-SAFE's engagement in the European Sustainable Energy Week reaffirmed the pivotal role of multilevel governance in tackling energy poverty. Drawing from our participation in previous years, including notable contributions in 2021 and 2022, this year's session has enriched our understanding and strengthened our commitment to integrating local and regional efforts into the broader framework of EU climate goals. Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate future opportunities to contribute and collaborate, leveraging the knowledge gained and partnerships fostered to drive sustainable energy solutions across Europe.