Scorecards on Best and Worst Policies for a Green New Deal
Climate change and economic recovery are at the centre of current high-level political discussions. This has caused energy efficiency to become a top priority for all levels of government, with special emphasis on integrating ecological policy with economic development and social change. This report presents simple overview scorecards on the best policies implemented by governments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, have other environmental benefits and, at the same time, are good for the economy. It also presents worst policies through which governments increase emissions and incur a cost to the economy.
Issue
In the light of the performance contracts many levels of
government have signed regarding energy efficiency and the
reduction of carbon emissions, WWF and E3G have developed an
overview of good and worst practices when it comes to realising
these goals.
Approach
From an initial assessment of 100 policies, the top twelve examples are detailed in this report. Examples of practices in this top twelve are for instance:
- Germany’s ‘efficiency in buildings’ programme: this is an integrated package of building standards, subsidies, loans, grants and retrofit programmes. It reduces emissions substantially in the short and in the long term, creates jobs in the building market and can easily be implemented in most countries;
- The USA’s Weatherization Assistance Program provides energy-efficiency support for low-income homes. Due to previous low efficiencies, emissions are substantially reduced and there are numerous positive economic effects. The outreach effect of this policy is high, as it focuses on low-income households;
- Spain has implemented an obligation to install solar thermal and PV in new buildings. The package is complemented by subsidies, low-interest loans and tax incentives. While avoiding significant volumes of emissions, it has also created jobs and led to a structural change towards more climate-friendly architectural design. Spain is a front runner in renewable obligations in buildings.
The worst policies were also highlighted: government policies that
increase emissions or are a barrier to structural change towards a
low-carbon economy. Examples of these are:
- Coal-mining subsidies;
- Subsidies for nuclear power production;
- Preferential treatment of energy intensive industries.
Results
The result of these projects, which are all described in detail,
range from ecological to economical and social benefits, in
different compositions and in different contexts. The summary
provides a general overview, which is detailed in later chapters
for the interested reader.
Publication date
November 2009
Document type
Practice
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