Market-Based Instruments to Promote Energy Efficiency: Insights from the Italian Case

Giacomo Di Foggia, Massimo Beccarello, Marco Borgarello, Francesca Bazzocchi and Stefano Moscarelli
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Massimo Beccarello: Department of Business and Law, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Marco Borgarello: Ricerca Sistema Energetico, 20134 Milan, Italy
Francesca Bazzocchi: Ricerca Sistema Energetico, 20134 Milan, Italy
Stefano Moscarelli: Ricerca Sistema Energetico, 20134 Milan, Italy

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: Market-based instruments such as white certificates offer the potential to increase efficiency gains, reduce primary energy consumption and make energy systems more resilient. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the white certificate scheme through a case study analysis. In light of increasing decarbonization and energy efficiency targets, it is important to rethink the role that policy instruments play in the energy transition, including the energy efficiency obligation schemes within which white certificate schemes fall. We focus on Italy’s white certificate scheme because it is among the longest-lived and has achieved notable results. The scheme is characterized by annually increasing energy savings targets, flexibility, the opportunity to include many interventions, and the role of energy services companies. We provide evidence based on an empirical survey and fill the research gap left by the latest updates to the scheme along with an appraisal of those updates, which covers prominent scheme innovations such as its stability mechanism. Our research can serve as a baseline for policymakers in designing white certificate schemes in countries with little related previous experience and provide useful information from countries where similar schemes have been implemented to fine-tune similar market-based mechanisms to improve energy efficiency.

Keywords: energy efficiency; white certificates; EEOS; energy consumption; market-based incentives; energy policy; energy efficiency certificates; energy efficiency directive; ESG (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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