Thread by @EnR_Network

The @EnR_Network held its first in person meeting in over 2 years in #Lisbon. After a first day of fruitful discussion on collaborative action between Energy Agencies, today, the network held a seminar on #energy and #water #efficiency at national and local levels.

The President of @EnR_Network, @nelsonlage highlighted the role of energy agencies in the #GreenTransition, as enabling agents acting between international and local level, to balance the three dimensions of the #EnergyTrilemma: Security Affordability #Sustainability

Sec of State @Joaogalamba described the vision for national-local level governance towards #NetZero in 2050: "energy agencies work to mobilize local authorities, economic players, and citizens to fight #ClimateCrisis, to foster cities’ pivotal role to deliver the #EUGreenDeal"

@AbreuMPa, Deputy Director @Energy4Europe @EU_Commission outlined the #REPowerEU roadmap "It means higher ambition and targets for both #renewables & #EnergyEfficiency and more investments in #electricity and #H2 networks. EU gas consumption will have to reduce at a faster pace."

In the panel on "Acting at national level – the role of energy agencies", France, Malta, The Netherlands and United Kingdom presented examples of their action to accelerate transition in a context of #EnergyCrisis together with other national and local stakeholders.

Phillipe Masset from @ademe was assertive "We need to talk about #sufficiency, not #efficiency. It's one main answer to the problem: we need to change our lives, a very big challenge, but we have to accelerate. #ActNow, tomorrow is too late"

Manuel Sapiano @MaltaEWA "This is not our 1st #EnergyCrisis: we need to be self sufficient w/ renewables, at least within EU, and increase solidarity". Regarding #water, #labelling is critical for consumers to make informed decision, it empowers them to make the correct choices.

@marianpoolen @RVO_Nederland detailed how a country 40% below sea level manages #WaterEfficiency, e.g. flood protection that also generates energy. On the #EnergyCrisis, "#EnergySaving is key but without solving #EnergyPoverty for certain groups, it will not bring us further".

Philip Sellwood showed how @EnergySvgTrust collaborates w/ regional&local agencies for a faster transition "Energy efficiency is the first fuel, we need to spend time and money to implement it. We need leadership from public sector. Lead by example."

Economy journalist @suspiro_ana @observadorpt was the moderator for the second panel on local level challenges in the water & energy efficiency roadmaps and the smart financing city-based solutions.

Miguel Castro Neto @Lisboaenova showed how cities are using data to drive smart policy for #DigitalTransformation and creating a #CityAsAPlatform w/ descriptive, predictive and prescriptive #DataDriven policy making.

After the city announcements of #EUMissions for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, Paulo Ferrão @IN3_Research @istecnico proposes the creation of national networks, following the @EU_Commission reccomendation that #MissionCities cluster w/neighbours for higher impact actions.

Kerstin Schilcher @at_AEA shared the agency's experience in promoting #RenewableEnergy Communities in the country in @HorizonEU project SHARES, empowering local heroes and setting up one-stop-shops w/technical support to leverage existing (and foster new) community action.

Head of @eumayors, @boyerfred1975, encouraged cities to join the Cities Energy Saving Sprint. Small steps like adjusting thermostats, more #CarFree days, have significant impact. @IEA @EU_Commission published 9 key actions for citizens that cities can promote #EUCitiesSaveEnergy

@EIB energy expert, Dinis Rodrigues, reminded that there are still "low hanging fruit" investments in cities, such as public lighting, that can provide huge savings. Energy lending and technical assistance instruments like #ELENA can help cities improve #EnergyEfficiency

@nelsonlage, President of @EnR_Network wrapped up w/ the importance of a radical focus on energy efficiency and decarbonization, and the need for the identification of ways to unlock opportunities for collaborative action between national and local actors

@DuarteCordeiro, Minister @ambiente_pt, highlighted the role of #cities at the forefront of the #EnergyCrisis. Local gov can guarantee active participation of citizens w/information and guidance. Energy agencies are essential to design and support energy and water saving schemes