148 P. NAEF ET AL.
If we compare the prices of some of the energy sources mentioned
above (natural gas, electricity), Bulgaria and Hungary have among the
lowest range of prices in Europe, which seems logical since these countries are also the ones with the lowest GDP per capita. Yet, besides this
constant, there are some significant differences between the rankings of
countries, depending on the resource in question. These variations are of
course related to the living standards of these various states, but also to the
availability of the resource within their boundaries or the price it costs to
import it. For instance, Switzerland is characterised by high prices when
it comes to diesel or natural gas—since there are no gas and oil sources in
the country—however, the prices of electricity are in the lower range, a
situation that could be explained by the important hydroelectric resources
present in this mountainous region. In contrast, electricity costs more in
Germany than almost anywhere else in Europe, a situation associated with
the country’s attempt to transition from fossil fuels and nuclear energy to
more renewable energy sources. This transition is importantly funded by
high taxes on energy companies, as in the case of Denmark, which is also
among the most expensive countries in terms of household electricity.
Fuel subsidies also have a role to play on the cost of energy, as do social
subsidies indirectly—in that they can provide support for people in need.
Framing household’s energy practices by suggesting that sustainable
behaviours can be financially beneficial is seen to increase acceptance and
adoption of sustainable consumption practices. For example, Denmark
had a tradition of offering various subsidies, for instance for the installation of solar panels and the replacement of oil burners with heat pumps.
Moreover, many subsidies were available in buildings construction and
renovation for thermal insulation and double-glazing. However, recent
policy changes tend to remove subsidies to households and concentrate on
energy savings in business, implying cuts in subsidies to home-renovations.
Several specific campaigns targeting household energy practices have
also been promoted this last decade, often based on financial mechanisms. The German government’s largest current campaign is the
‘Deutschland macht’s effizient’ initiative focusing primarily on energy
efficiency by offering information, consultations and financial incentives
in the form of grant aid for households, companies and municipalities
who undertake to improve their energy efficiency. In the Netherlands,
the ‘energy efficiency you do now’ programme provides cheap loans for
energy efficiency renovations to private home owners and associations of
apartment owners.
If we compare the prices of some of the energy sources mentioned
above (natural gas, electricity), Bulgaria and Hungary have among the
lowest range of prices in Europe, which seems logical since these countries are also the ones with the lowest GDP per capita. Yet, besides this
constant, there are some significant differences between the rankings of
countries, depending on the resource in question. These variations are of
course related to the living standards of these various states, but also to the
availability of the resource within their boundaries or the price it costs to
import it. For instance, Switzerland is characterised by high prices when
it comes to diesel or natural gas—since there are no gas and oil sources in
the country—however, the prices of electricity are in the lower range, a
situation that could be explained by the important hydroelectric resources
present in this mountainous region. In contrast, electricity costs more in
Germany than almost anywhere else in Europe, a situation associated with
the country’s attempt to transition from fossil fuels and nuclear energy to
more renewable energy sources. This transition is importantly funded by
high taxes on energy companies, as in the case of Denmark, which is also
among the most expensive countries in terms of household electricity.
Fuel subsidies also have a role to play on the cost of energy, as do social
subsidies indirectly—in that they can provide support for people in need.
Framing household’s energy practices by suggesting that sustainable
behaviours can be financially beneficial is seen to increase acceptance and
adoption of sustainable consumption practices. For example, Denmark
had a tradition of offering various subsidies, for instance for the installation of solar panels and the replacement of oil burners with heat pumps.
Moreover, many subsidies were available in buildings construction and
renovation for thermal insulation and double-glazing. However, recent
policy changes tend to remove subsidies to households and concentrate on
energy savings in business, implying cuts in subsidies to home-renovations.
Several specific campaigns targeting household energy practices have
also been promoted this last decade, often based on financial mechanisms. The German government’s largest current campaign is the
‘Deutschland macht’s effizient’ initiative focusing primarily on energy
efficiency by offering information, consultations and financial incentives
in the form of grant aid for households, companies and municipalities
who undertake to improve their energy efficiency. In the Netherlands,
the ‘energy efficiency you do now’ programme provides cheap loans for
energy efficiency renovations to private home owners and associations of
apartment owners.