Exploring advocacy coalitions for change of EU policy on energy efficiency

This empirical study analyses policy change in the area of EU energy efficiency policy by applying the advocacy coalition framework (ACF). The energy efficiency directive (EED) and its provisions on individual metering and billing (IMB) is used as a case study. IMB provisions have rendered substantial debate for almost a decade and the provisions were amended following successful advocacy work of the coalition opposing IMB. The study confirms recent developments of the ACF theory that internal shocks are important for policy change. Policy change have also been influenced by other factors, such as internal events in the political subsystem, policy-oriented learning and negotiated agreements. As for policy-oriented learning, it was manifested in different ways, e.g. the acceptance of the core beliefs and proposals for amending the IMB provisions put forward by the coalition opposing IMB by a majority of MSs in the Council, the EP and the proponents of IMB. The paper also provides critical perspectives on the ACF, that policy change can happen without changes of external dynamic factors and in shorter time perspectives than the ACF theory proposes. Besides contributing to development of scientific theory, the knowledge provided in the paper can inform various stakeholders to better shape their future strategies in advocacy work in EU policy making and national policy implementation