Responsible ministers 1c NCA Full report Energy saving ambitions and results (2011) (English)

7 largest energy consumer and because a major European study of the impact of energy saving behaviour in households, schools and offices commenced at the same time as our audit. The audit of the manufacturing sector revolved around two questions. Firstly, is energy saving policy in the manufacturing sector more effective if it is consistent with the companies reasons for behaving energy efficiently? To answer this question, we held a survey of companies in the manufacturing sector. The main findings are presented in chapter 5 of this report. Secondly, are there inefficiencies in the energy saving policy for the manufacturing sector and, if so, where are they? To answer this question, we commissioned CE Delft, an independent research and consultancy organisation, to investigate the relationship between policy impact and associated costs cost effectiveness. CE Delft will publish a report on its investigation entitled Evaluatie energiebesparingsbelied in de industrie. Kosten en effecten in de periode 1995-2008 Evaluation of energy saving policy in manufacturing. Costs and effects in the period 1995-2008. Its main findings are presented in chapter 5. The answers to these questions provide an insight into the results of the Dutch governments energy saving policy and its impact on CO 2 emissions and energy security. They will also contribute to the social and political debate on reducing energy consumption and increasing the effectiveness of national energy and climate policy. The analysis of individual policy instruments will also complement the policy options presented in the report issued by the Energy and Climate Working Group set up for the Reassessment of government functions AZ, 2010. The Working Group has not made a decision on the policy alternatives but has indicated that more study is necessary.

1.6 Organisation of this report

Chapter 2 of part I presents the main audit conclusions and recommendations. In chapter 3 we present the ministers response to the audit and our afterword. In part II of this report, we consider the audit findings underlying the conclusions presented in part I. 8 2 Conclusions and recommendations

2.1 Main conclusion

The Netherlands is not achieving the governments energy saving targets. Between 1995 and 2007, national energy consumption rose by 11, versus a targeted increase of just 4. As a result, CO 2 emissions were 13 megatonnes higher than intended. Our audit found three causes for the underachievement of the policy targets: 1. In recent years, fewer and weaker policy instruments have been used than ex ante evaluations had found necessary. 2. The policy conducted in the energy-intensive manufacturing sector in the period 2000-2007 increasingly became less compulsory. The policy had few results. The energy saving achieved 0.5 per annum on average was less than the saving that would have occurred without policy the autonomous development of 0.8-1 per annum. In the period 1995-2007, the manufacturing sector as a whole performed slightly better 1.5 per annum on average than the national average 1.1 per annum. The national average, however, was significantly reduced by the transport sector. 3. Policy in the manufacturing sector only partially matches companies reasons for investing in energy savings. Policy instruments in the manufacturing sector are targeted chiefly at lowering the direct cost of investing in energy efficient measures. In practice, however, other reasons also influence energy efficient behaviour. Since 2008, a fourth cause has grown in importance: part of the energy saving achieved through the national energy saving policy is negated by the European CO 2 emissions trading system. The trading system was introduced in 2005 but had little if any effect in its first three years. Companies that cut their CO 2 emissions thanks to the national energy saving policy for example by means of a grant or tax scheme need to take fewer measures to remain within their emission allowances and can