White Certificates for the Transport Sector - an Opportunity Not Taken?

A lot of policy interest and analysis has been focussed on savings obligations imposed on energy market actors (mainly electricity and gas distributors or suppliers), coupled possibly with trading of certified energy savings or of savings obligations. While the Energy Services Directive (2006/32/EC) includes transport fuels and some of the existing white certificate schemes allow energy savings projects in the transport sector, so far no EU Member State has introduced savings obligations specifically dedicated to transport energy consumption. The paper explores the possible use of savings obligations and tradable white certificates in the transport sector, with particular attention to road transport. Issues examined include setting obligations on transport fuel suppliers/distributors, defining eligible technologies and projects, and considering fuel suppliers¿ savings obligations as a stand-alone tool or integrated with existing electricity and gas obligations. The paper intends to open further discussion and research on the topic.JRC.DG.F.8-Renewable Energy (Ispra