A Coordination Mechanism facilitates two types of coordination.

The first type of coordination concerns the effective communication and administration among different governmental levels – namely national, regional and local levels – to design or implement energy efficiency policies or concrete measures (vertical coordination). For instance, a coordination mechanism could be a formal or informal forum through which governments on different levels either formulate common energy policies or coordinate their different approaches. On the implementation level, a coordination mechanism could define the flow of information on implemented energy efficiency measures among the different governmental layers in order to define steering structures for a certain programme or review its effectiveness.

The second type of coordination concerns the effective communication and administration between measures, schemes of programmes at the same level (horizontal coordination). An example could be coordination among energy saving initiatives in different departments at a local level (spatial, environmental, energy department, etc.). The coordination mechanism also facilitates the distribution of funding and financing among the different governmental levels to implement energy efficiency measures.

Austria

In Austria, energy policy-making is not regulated through an established and institutionalised coordination mechanism. However, when important energy and/or climate relevant strategies and policies are developed at national level, representatives from the federal governments usually participate in such processes. Energy is a matter that is not only a legal responsibility of the national administration but also of the federal provinces. Theoretically, they may adopt their own energy-specific laws and decrees and develop energy policies independent from those at national level. In practice, their strategic approaches and measures are similar to the national ones, and sometimes even more ambitious. In addition, the 2,100 local authorities in Austria may also develop their own local energy policies and have to respect regional laws and decrees if they become relevant for the implementation of their policies. The implementation of energy efficiency measures at regional and local level is incentivised through subsidies schemes targeting, among others, local authorities, as well as through the energy efficiency obligation scheme obliging energy suppliers to implement energy efficiency measures in the end-use sector including local authorities.

Link to the Austrian Federal Government.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Institutional and legal setting
  • Allocation of responsibilities
  • Involvement of regional and local authorities
  • Other coordination fora and energy networks

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Belgium

In Belgium, coherence related to energy efficiency policy-making is assured through the working group CONCERE/ENOVER (Consultation between the Federal State and the Regions on energy matters) within the Interministerial Conference for Economy and Energy, which allows consultation between the Federal State and the Regions on energy matters. This multi-level-governance institution allows them to share energy competences and supports them in finding common positions and producing unified reports. Even if this format allows communication among federal and regional levels, the municipalities are not involved.

Links: CONCERE/ENOVER, Belgian Federal Government, Regions

Bulgaria

No specific coordination mechanism for efficiency policies exists in Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the local authorities are involved in the national energy policy formulation through their participation in arranged public discussions or through their representatives in mutual working groups with national authorities.

Links: Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Regional Development

Croatia

There is developed coordination between the different bodies in Croatia, although the only official body is nationally defined – the National Energy Efficiency Authority. Local authorities are involved by making three-year and annual energy efficiency plans, which are legally required and evaluated by the National Energy Efficiency Authority. Nevertheless, they are not obligated to implement the energy efficiency measures as defined by the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans. An additional barrier is the limited human resources at local level, while significant opportunities for the co-funding of energy efficiency measures are available.

Indisputably, the coordination will be improved at local and regional level if the SMIV has access to fully fledged and completed data for the evaluation, monitoring, measurement and verification of the implemented energy efficiency measures.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Allocation of responsibilities
  • Involvement of regional and local authorities
  • Legal and economic instruments for involving local and regional authorities’

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Cyprus

There is an of a coordination mechanism for the design and implementation of energy efficiency measures in Cyprus. Nevertheless, specific public consultation processes have been established in order to facilitate the involvement of the local authorities and to incorporate their needs and priorities into the formulation and implementation of the energy efficiency measures.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic no indication for the existence of a coordination mechanism was identified.

Denmark

The national level has the legal responsibility for the formulation and implementation of energy policy, including energy efficiency measures. Even if the local authorities are not involved directly in national energy policy, various initiatives have been undertaken to realise and take into account their priorities and needs during the formulation of the energy efficiency measures.

Estonia

No aspects of a coordination mechanism are identified regarding the design and implementation of energy efficiency policies and measures in Estonia.

Finland

Various aspects of a coordination mechanism were identified for the current status regarding the design and implementation of energy efficiency policies, such as actions and regulations for the motivation of the involved stakeholders and procedures for the enhancement of the existing level of skills and knowledge.

France

In France, there exist coordination bodies between national and regional level for energy policy-making. Local authorities are represented through some associations (associations of mayors, associations of departments, associations of regions). The implementation of energy efficiency measures at regional and local level is incentivised through subsidy schemes targeting to local authorities and the energy efficiency obligation scheme obliging energy suppliers to implement energy efficiency measures in the end-use sector, including local authorities. Finally, the involvement of the local authorities in national energy policy formulation is performed through the dedicated consultation body CNEN (Conseil national d'évaluation des norms).

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Allocation of responsibilities
  • Coordination bodies
  • Legal and economic instruments for involving local and regional authorities’
  • Capacity building

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Germany

In terms of policy coordination, the traditional formal vertical and horizontal coordination of government layers used for law-making in Germany also strongly defines energy efficiency policies. Especially with the energy transition, additional informal coordination mechanisms occur that complement the formal mechanisms. As these informal mechanisms define informal coordination in a wider sense, including civil society at large, they might prove an interesting and effective instrument, which could serve as best practice for other countries.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Institutional and legal setting
  • Involvement of regional and local authorities
  • Other coordination fora and energy networks
  • Policies redesign and access to data and information

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Greece

No coordination mechanism for the design and implementation of energy efficiency measures has been developed yet in Greece.

Hungary

No elements of a coordination mechanism have been identified in Hungary.

Ireland

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) plays a crucial role in energy efficiency policy implementation, as it ensures the operation of the M&V schemes. SEAI provides technical assistance for local authorities and coordinates various financial assistance schemes. Other partners in the development and formulation of energy efficiency policies consist of local authorities, local energy agencies united within the Association of Irish Energy Agencies and the County and City Management Association (CCMA).

Italy

Various aspects of a coordination mechanism have already been introduced for the design and implementation of energy efficiency measures in Italy, facilitating the fulfilment of energy efficiency targets at national and regional level. Indisputably, the committee Conferenza Stato Regioni can be the basis for the development of a concrete coordination mechanism exploiting the current degree of experience.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Coordination bodies

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Latvia

Latvia has no separate coordination body for energy policy development and energy policy implementation. Nevertheless, the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments as well as the Association of District Heat Producers are active partners, contributing their opinions and comments in the development of legislative documents/acts. Finally, information campaigns have been arranged to enhance the existing level of skills and knowledge of the involved stakeholders.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Allocation of responsibilities
  • Coordination bodies
  • Other coordination fora and energy networks
  • Legal and economic instruments for involving local and regional authorities’
  • Policies redesign and access to data and information

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Lithuania

The legal responsibility for energy efficiency policy-making lies at national level in Lithuania, while the distribution of responsibilities for energy efficiency policy-making and implementation is clearly defined among the different governmental layers. The role of the agencies during the implementation and coordination of energy efficiency policy between national and local levels is crucial. Finally, various public consultations have been organised, while relevant stakeholders have been invited to participate in the preparation of the regulations.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Allocation of responsibilities
  • Legal and economic instruments for involving local and regional authorities’

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Luxembourg

In Luxembourg an established energy policy at the national level was identified, while various comprehensive information campaigns have been organised in order to inform and educate consumers through the involvement of various energy agencies and the constitution of specific information points.

Republic of Macedonia

The most important operational issue in FYR of Macedonia is the lack of capacity, both financial and human. Various measures have been introduced in order to address this problem in several national strategies inducing municipalities for using the web-based software tool for the monitoring and the management of the energy consumption.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Allocation of responsibilities
  • Involvement of regional and local authorities

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Malta

Various aspects of a coordination mechanism were identified in Malta, such as the establishment of consultation procedures, the vital role of the Sustainable Energy and Water Conservation Unit (SEWCU), the conduction of consultation exercises and trainings and the signature of memorandums of understanding among the involved authorities.

Netherlands

The legal responsibility for energy efficiency policy-making lies at national level. Nevertheless, the distribution of responsibilities for energy efficiency policy-making and implementation is clearly defined among the different governmental layers. Furthermore, agencies and research centres facilitate the implementation and coordination of energy efficiency policy between national and local levels, while various public consultations have been organised. The responsible authorities have the sufficient financial and human resources for the planning and implementation of the energy efficiency measures.

Poland

The distribution of responsibilities for energy efficiency policy-making and implementation is clearly defined between different governmental layers. Certain actions and regulations have been foreseen to motivate the participation of the involved authorities, while emphasis has been given on the enhancement of the existing level of skills and knowledge through the conduction of specific campaigns.

Portugal

The status of coordination mechanisms between different governmental levels for energy efficiency measures is still at their early stages in Portugal. Although there is communication between administrative levels by formal consultations, no coordination mechanism has been established yet.

Romania

The distribution of responsibilities for energy efficiency policy formulation and implementation is clearly defined between different governmental layers. Certain actions and regulations have been foreseen in order to motivate the participation of the involved authorities. Nevertheless, the most important operational barrier is the lack of capacity, both financial and human, hindering the more efficient formulation and implementation of energy efficiency measures.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Allocation of responsibilities
  • Involvement of regional and local authorities

 

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Slovakia

The responsibilities for energy efficiency policy formulation and implementation are clearly defined between different governmental layers and the inter-institutional group, which was set up for preparation of National Energy Efficiency Action Plans including representatives for the ministries, the regional administration and the municipalities, facilitates the effective coordination of the energy efficiency measures.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Allocation of responsibilities
  • Coordination bodies
  • Involvement of regional and local authorities
  • Other coordination fora and energy networks
  • Legal and economic instruments for involving local and regional authorities’
  • Policies redesign and access to data and information

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Slovenia

Even though there is an established energy policy at local level, the coordination mechanisms are at their very early stages and the resources are very scarce due to austerity measures.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Involvement of regional and local authorities
  • Legal and economic instruments for involving local and regional authorities’

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

Spain

Various aspects of a coordination mechanism have already been introduced, facilitating the fulfilment of energy efficiency targets at national level in Spain. Specifically, several initiatives have been organised to this purpose, such as the Sectoral Conference meetings on energy, the Coordination Commission of Climate Change Policies and the Consultative Commission of Energy Saving and Efficiency.

Sweden

The local authorities are involved in national energy policy formulation in Sweden, while specific actions have been implemented in order to encourage their involvement, to take into consideration their needs and priorities and to enhance the existing level of skills and knowledge.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Coordination bodies
  • Involvement of regional and local authorities
  • Other coordination fora and energy networks
  • Legal and economic instruments for involving local and regional authorities’

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms

United Kingdom

No aspects of a coordination mechanism were identified for the current status regarding the planning and implementation of energy saving policies in the UK.

Best practice cases have been identified under the following topics:

  • Other coordination fora and energy networks

Here is the full report on European best practices for M&V schemes and coordination mechanisms