Energy efficiency of residential buildings in the European Union – An exploratory analysis of cross-country consumption patterns

Anita Thonipara, Petrik Runst, Christian Ochsner and Kilian Bizer

Energy Policy, 2019, vol. 129, issue C, 1156-1167

Abstract: Despite a common EU directive on energy efficiency in residential buildings, levels of energy efficiency differ across European countries. This article analyses these differences and investigates the effectiveness of different energy efficiency policies in place in those countries. We firstly use panel data methods to explain average yearly energy consumption per dwelling and country by observable characteristics such as climatic conditions, energy prices, income, and floor area. We then use the unexplained variation by sorting between-country differences as well as plotting within-country changes over time to identify better performing countries. These countries are analysed qualitatively in a second step. We conduct expert interviews and examine the legal rules regarding building energy efficiency. Based on our exploratory analysis we draw a number of preliminary conclusions. First, we suggest that regulatory standards, in conjunction with increased construction activity, can be effective in the long run. Second, the results suggest that carbon taxation represents an effective means for energy efficiency. In this regard, the scope of the carbon tax plays a crucial role. We find evidence that a tax of 30 € and a tax of 120 € per ton of CO2 cause markedly different reductions in energy consumption.

Keywords: Carbon taxation; Energy efficiency; Energy conservation; Climate policy; Residential buildings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H23 K32 P18 Q58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (24)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:129:y:2019:i:c:p:1156-1167

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.03.003

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