Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: The Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) appears to be strongly supporting action on climate change, although its engagement outside of energy efficiency and electrification appears limited.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: The EEC’s top-line messaging on climate policy appears to be positive. In 2021, It appears to support ambitions to reduce GHG emissions to net-zero in-line with the goals of the Paris Agreement and in October 2019, its CEO called for "ambitious government policy" to reach that goal.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: The EEC’s engagement with climate-related regulations appears to be positive. It has most actively engaged with policies related to energy efficiency, arguing that "Without real effort to improve energy efficiency...Our greenhouse gas emissions will continue to grow"; notably, in 2019 it appeared to have supported raising the ambition of energy efficiency targets (e.g. the National Energy Productivity Plan) and individual policies designed to achieve this since 2017; e.g. minimum energy efficiency standards for appliances, vehicles and buildings. In 2021, the association recommended that the Victorian government should introduce a number of Energy Efficiency measures to reach its emissions target, including an increase in energy efficiency standards in construction.
The organization has had limited engagement with policies outside of energy efficiency and electrification, however, it does appear to support emissions reduction targets. In July 2018, it supported the National Energy Guarantee but advocated it to have a much higher emissions reduction target, in line with CCA recommendations. In 2020, the organization supported NSW state government's emissions reduction target of 35% by 2030. In a 2020 tweet, the organization also appears to support the implementation of emissions reduction targets for energy, mining and transport sector.
Positioning on Energy Transition: The EEC has supported the transition of the energy mix, particularly the electrification of transport. In 2019, Energy Efficiency Council advocated the government should develop a national strategy for electric vehicles. In June 2020, the organization has promoted electrification as part of a Green Recovery following COVID-19, as well as arguing for a 'wind down of fossil fuel assets'. The Energy Efficiency Council also supports the 5 minute settlement rule, which encourages the uptake of batteries, arguing against delaying its implementation in June 2020 while in the same year, voiced its support for the acceleration of the uptake of zero emission vehicles. In a 2021 submission to the Victoria Gas Substitution Roadmap, it stated that natural gas emissions should be reduced through to 2030 and its use be entirely eliminated by 2050.