Energy efficiency

Energy, a global commitment

The effectiveness of national energy policies also depends on people having a lifestyle which involves being careful about saving energy, and on businesses and institutions making use of the services of organizations certified by accredited CABs.

Of the ten greatest dangers facing the planet, five are related to the environment. This is the picture painted by the “Global Risks Report 2017” of the World Economic Forum which looks at the prospects for the coming ten years. It’s the first time that five risks concerning the environment have been classified as among the greatest as well as being those with the highest probability.

It’s a truly global problem. At the Paris conference in 2015 (COP21), 195 countries signed the Paris Agreement on climate change providing for a universal and binding action plan to keep the increase in global warming well under 2°C.

Long-term objectives, maximum cooperation and transparency of results are the key agreement points: a concrete commitment for all countries required to implement new policies to defend the culture of sustainability and to promote energy saving.

The energy policy in Italy

The national energy strategy (Strategia Energetica Nazionale) has to guarantee safe and sustainable energy at competitive prices for everyone. In order to implement the Paris agreement Italy has adopted measures to align costs with other European countries, to improve the level supply safety and to accelerate the process of decarburization.

Interventions include optimizing energy management and the development of renewable energy, and this involves creating a system which is sustainable and which respects the environment by raising the awareness with regard to responsible behavior in everyday life.

What the public can do

Only a little awareness would drastically reduce energy waste and help to protect the environment - citizens have a decisive role to play in building a sustainable future.

The average annual consumption of a family of four is 3000 kWh: 6000 for heating and 3000 for bathroom and kitchen.

It has been calculated that eliminating waste and using more energy efficient equipment could lower consumption by as much as 40%.

It’s the small daily acts that make the difference, from the domestic appliances used to the best lighting system.

On the website of ENEA – the national agency for new technologies, energy and sustainable economic development – offers advice for a less wasteful lifestyle and more efficient energy management.

Tools for businesses and institutions

Accredited certifications in energy management and diagnosis contribute to achieving the goals set by the Italian government, in line with EU policies.

The Directive 2012/27/EU lays the foundations for a harmonised framework of interventions and policies targeting sustainability and energy efficiency. The aim is a 20% reduction by 2020: all member states are required to save energy, fixing national objectives for the purpose.

In Italy, Legislative Decree 102/2014 implements the Directive, setting a framework of moves to promote and improve the supply and final use of energy through the promotion of energy efficiency in both public and private buildings, though the purchases of the central governmental entities and the calculating and billing of consumption. The law also makes energy diagnosis compulsory for big scale and energy intensive business enterprises.

This normative framework attributes a specific role – as instruments in support of businesses, institutions and citizens – for accredited certifications for energy efficiency regarding organisations with and Energy Management System (EnMS) as well as Energy Service Companies (ESCo), Experts in Energy Management (EGE) and Energy Auditors.

Certifications must be issued by CABs certified by Accredia, the Italian Accreditation Body, and qualified to verify compliance with the standards:

UNI CEI EN ISO 50001 for Energy Management Systems (EnMS)
UNI CEI 11352 for Energy Service Companies (ESCo)
UNI CEI 11339 Energy Management Experts (EGE)
UNI CEI EN 16247-5 for Energy Auditors

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