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The development of low-energy products depends amongst other things on perceived feasibility. And that perception is in turn determined by the
presence of knowledge of the opportunities to develop low-energy products and by the priority the company places on the development of
energy efficient technology rather than other business processes. Apart from attitude, corporate culture is an important explanatory factor for a
companys willingness to develop low-energy products.
Figure 10 Reasons for and against the development of low -energy products
5.4 Agreement between policy instruments and reasons
for and against energy savings
In this section we describe the extent to which the governments policy instruments to save energy in manufacturing agree with the reasons and
conditions that influence a companys decisions.
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We also consider whether lack of agreement can explain the underachievement of the
energy saving targets.
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The survey did not ask about energy tax because companies cannot opt in or out.
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Multiyear energy efficiency agreements The multiyear energy efficiency agreements agree most with the reasons
and conditions that determine a manufacturing companys decision- making processes. They offer the prospect of cost savings and inform
participants of potential grants and tax schemes. Participants receive advice on how to save energy that is tailored to their business and on
how to share energy saving information and experiences within the industry. Furthermore, the compulsory introduction of energy
management and energy saving reports increases the companies knowledge of their own energy consumption. Our survey found that
companies thought they did not have enough knowledge. More than a quarter 27 said they did not have enough knowledge. This was true
of 29 of the small companies, 24 of the medium-sized companies and 11 of the large companies. A breakdown of the large companies shows
that those with between 250 and 1,000 employees, in particular, do not have enough knowledge. Only companies with more than 3,000
employees said they had enough knowledge. It is assumed that voluntary agreements create social pressure to save
energy. However, the social pressure of the current agreements in the manufacturing industry does not seem to have a decisive influence on the
companies behaviour. The effect of the second generation of multiyear agreements is due to their influence on the expected consequences of
energy savings and the extent to which companies think they can make energy savings. Our audit revealed that companies thought multiyear
agreements provided the greatest incentive and that participants acquired energy efficient technology and worked on energy savings in the
production chain more often than non-participants. The final self- reported percentage energy saving, however, did not differ from that
of non-participants. Benchmarking Agreement
The Benchmarking Agreement only partially agrees with the relevant reasons and conditions. Furthermore, its effect was weakened when the
target for 2012 and the agreements obligations were largely abandoned upon the introduction of the CO
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emissions trading system. Tax schemes and grants
Small and medium-sized companies found tax schemes and grants to be the most effective instruments. The schemes and grants used by the
government to encourage energy savings agree with the financial aspects of a companys economic rationalism. Financial incentives influence the
