Call for oil independence – highlights the need for energy efficiency

Panel: Panel 1: The foundations of a future energy policy. Longer term strategies

Author:
Lotta Bångens, Föreningen Sveriges Energirådgivare, Sweden

Abstract

In December 2005, the Swedish Government appointed a commission to draw up a programme to reduce Sweden’s dependence on oil. The main reason for this was the climate change. Other reasons were the effect of oil prices on Sweden’s growth and employment and the fact that oil still plays a major role for peace and security throughout the world.

Members of the commission, besides the prime minister, were experts from industry, agriculture, forestry, science and experts on energy efficiency and district heating. The aim of the commission was to propose a number of measures to end the oil dependence by the year of 2020 and also to reduce the use of oil products.

Although there is a great potential for Swedish raw materials (bio fuels) as alternatives to oil it was soon obvious that oil independence could not be reached without a great contribution from energy efficiency. Energy efficiency was proposed as the first of five strategies of the Commission. The Commission proposed measures for energy efficiency both on policy level and on concrete actions.

Interest in the Commission’s work is and has been enormous, both in Sweden and abroad. Many people took part in the hearings which were the start of the Commission’s work. In Sweden the Commission has for sure increased the interest in energy related issues and also very much highlighted the need for energy efficiency.

The paper will present the results of the Commissions work with a specific focus on measures on energy efficiency.

Now Sweden has a new government, with a new prime minister, so the Commission does no longer exist. The new government will start a new Commission which hopefully will continue the work started by the Commission on Oil independence.