Introduction

Our comfort strongly depends on energy. Heating, light bulbs, electronic appliances use a lot of energy which has a direct impact on the environment as well as our energy bill.
Reducing consumption through the Energy Challenge aims to save money but also raise environmental awareness of Brussels’ citizens.

Objectives and target audience

The programme “Energy Challenge for Household”, called “Défi Energie” in French, aims to change behaviour in energy consumption of a large number of individual households (renters as owners) through individual public engagement.
The objectives are:

• A reduction of greenhouse gases emission (involvement in the regional/national Kyoto target) via energy savings (quantitative objective of 1 ton CO2 per household without financial investments)
• A behavioural change of citizens towards energy use at home and in their mobility choices.  The individual target is 1 ton CO2 per household through behavioural change mainly in heating and electrical consumptions as well as through greener mobility.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The sensitization Programme “Energy Challenge” is an initiative of the regional Minister of Environment and Energy.  It is managed by Brussels Environment – IBGE, the Brussels-Capital‘s regional administration for environment and energy.  The field activities are conducted by two NGOs, the Réseau Eco-consommation and Négawatt, and the sociological follow-up by Sonecom.
The Programme is 100% funded by the Brussels Capital Region through Brussels Environment – IBGE.
The Programme is supported by medias (Vlan, BelRTL, La Dernière Heure, Tu bâtis-Je rénove) for the promotion and media follow-up.
The total budget from June 2005 to June 2008 is 575.000€ (75.000€ in 2005 and 250.000€ in 2006 and 2008), the Brussels Environment – IBGE ‘s human resources are not included.

Process

The first edition, from September 2005 to June 2006, was a testing phase implemented in 200 households. Based on this pilot experience, it was possible to estimate the achievable individual target of 1 ton CO2 per household; this target could be reached through behavioural change mainly in heating and electrical consumptions as well as through a greener mobility without any financial investments.
The second edition was conducted during the winter 2006-07 with 1400 participants (including the 1st group) and a third one started in Autumn 2007.
The Energy Challenge is based on existing tools (telephone advice services, leaflets, individual audits, website…) and new activities (meetings/conferences for households involved in the action, on-line tools to follow individual consumptions, animations, etc.). Individuals can choose among a list of identified precise actions he/she was committed to sign for.
In winter 2007-08, Brussels Environment has developed a methodology on how to extend the number of households engaged in the energy challenge not only through individual commitment but also through existing associations (women associations, associations of parents, sports clubs, etc.).  This implied to recruit and train “energy relays” for each target group in order to become facilitators in their group and to develop new awareness and pedagogical support.
So far (June 2008), 2078 households have taken part in the Energy Challenge.

Results

In the 1st edition, 200 households were involved in the project; they reduced their energy consumption without loosing comfort by 13%, corresponding to a financial savings of 335€ per household per year.  In the 2nd edition, the 1400 households involved reached a 20% reduction, so as 400€ savings per household per year.
In Autumn 2008 it will start the 3rd edition of the Energy Challenge for households; this time, households will be able to monthly monitor their energy consumptions through a website and will be able to compare their records to other citizens taking part in the initiative.
By taking part in the Challenge, each inhabitant of Brussels can contribute to the effort of the Brussels Region to decrease its greenhouse gases emissions and fulfil the objectives of the Kyoto protocol.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

Waiting for the final report.