Conference Declaration
Final, 13th September 2006
Lahti Declaration on the Promotion of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy through Energy Auditing
1. We, representatives from 39 countries and 8 international organisations, having met at the International Energy Audit Conference in Lahti 11th – 13th September, 2006, are committed to intensify our work to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy in our countries and organisations.
2. We emphasize the multiple and synergetic benefits of increased energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources for:
- improving access to energy services, thereby contributing to eradication of poverty and to sustainable economic growth,
- enhancing security of energy supply i.e. by reducing capacity constraints,
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change,
- improving air quality and public health and
- increasing job opportunities and economic welfare.
3. We underline that energy auditing procedures, where specialists systematically analyse the energy use of buildings and production processes and make proposals for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, are key methods in finding the most effective measures to improve energy efficiency. The promotion of the use of renewable energy sources can and should also be a natural part of energy auditing.
4. We encourage governments, in cooperation with the private sector, to create and further develop their own energy audit programmes or activities as part of their energy efficiency programmes, and in so doing to make effective use of international experiences and best practices. They should be complemented by awareness raising campaigns, targeting energy users. In addition self-auditing tools should be developed and made available for energy consumers.
5. We agree to share experiences on existing energy audit methodologies and best practices with the aim to improve and elaborate the effectiveness and quality of commercially available energy auditing services.
6. We recognise that improving energy efficiency and promoting the use of renewable energy requires the implementation of audit results through investments and other measures. Therefore we agree on the need to enhance the availability of versatile and innovative financing mechanisms such as carbon financing, partial risk guarantees as well as energy performance contracting offered by Energy Service Companies.
7. We recognise that government policies have a significant impact on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. This is also the case with regard to the development of energy auditing activities, as demonstrated in several countries. Experience has shown that successful actions for initiating and scaling up these activities include:
- creating supportive policy, legal and institutional frameworks as well as market-based incentives,
- securing public sector commitment,
- promoting private sector involvement and
- providing access to funding, including by stimulating financial sector interest in energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.
8. We emphasise the need for enhanced international co-operation to help developing countries to:
- strengthen national policy frameworks and integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy use into national sustainable energy strategies and
- enhance national capacity for energy auditing and for implementing cost-effective measures proposed by audits.
This will require:
- making technical assistance for energy auditing as well as financial products accessible to developing countries and
- disseminating more widely information, knowledge and best practices that support accelerated market development of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
9. We share the view that the development and implementation of an International Energy Audit Programme (IEAP) could be an effective step to develop and expand global energy audit activities building on existing energy efficiency co-operation programmes. Among the objectives would be to develop local know-how in partner countries and markets to facilitate and establish new and expanded energy auditing business activities. The preparation of the programme should involve existing international public and private organisations and co-operation networks.
10. We note with appreciation the major focus on energy and climate change in the ongoing 2006–2007 cycle of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD). The development of the IEAP would support the related CSD work. We underline that efficient coordination with major international financing institutions, such as the World Bank Group, would play an essential role in the implementation of the programme. Similarly, other relevant international organisations like the United Nations, the International Energy Agency and the European Union, should have important roles to play. The forthcoming Energy Efficiency Action Plan of the EU Commission could have an essential role in launching the IEAP as a part of the planned International Framework Agreement on Energy Efficiency.
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