C 125/314
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
5.4.2023
Wednesday 14 September 2022 (91)
Greater consumer protection should be guaranteed by the availability of effective, independent out-of-court dispute settlement mechanisms for all consumers, such as an energy ombudsperson, a consumer body or a regulatory authority.
Member States should, therefore, introduce speedy and effective complaint-handling procedures.
(92)
The contribution of renewable energy communities, pursuant to Directive (EU) 2018/2001 ▌, and citizen energy communities, according to Directive (EU) 2019/944 towards the objectives of the European Green Deal and the 2030 Climate Target Plan, should be recognised and actively supported.
Member States should, therefore, consider and promote the role of renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities.
Those communities can help Member States to implement the energy efficiency first principle at local level by advancing energy efficiency at local or household level, as well as in public buildings in cooperation with local authorities.
They can empower and engage consumers and enable certain groups of household customers, including in rural, remote areas and outermost regions, to participate in energy efficiency projects and interventions, often combining such actions with investment in renewable energy.
Energy communities also have a strong role to play in educating and increasing citizens' awareness of the measures that can undertake to achieve energy savings.
If properly supported by Member States, energy communities can help fighting energy poverty through facilitation of energy efficiency projects, reduced energy consumption and lower supply tariffs.
Member States should remove unnecessary hurdles to ensure it is attractive to build energy communities.
Public administrations at all levels should be duly trained in this area.
(92a)
Long-term behavioural changes in energy consumption can be achieved through the empowerment of citizens.
Energy communities can help deliver long-term energy savings, particularly among households, and an increase in sustainable investments from citizens and small businesses.
Member States should empower such actions by citizens through support for community energy projects and organisations.
(93)
The contribution of one-stop shops or similar structures as mechanisms that can enable multiple target groups, including citizens, SMEs and public authorities, to design and implement projects and measures related to the clean energy transition, should be recognised.
The contribution of one-stop-shops can be very important for the most vulnerable customers, including women in all their diversity and single parents, as they could provide an easier, reliable and accessible source of information about energy efficiency improvements.
That contribution can include the provision of technical, administrative and financial advice and assistance, facilitation of the necessary administrative procedures or of access to financial markets, or guidance with the national and European legal framework, including public procurement rules and criteria, and the EU Taxonomy.
(94)
The Commission should review the impact of its measures to support the development of platforms or fora, involving, inter alia, the European social dialogue bodies in fostering training programmes for energy efficiency, and shall bring forward further measures where appropriate.
The Commission should also encourage European social partners in their discussions on energy efficiency, especially for vulnerable customers and final users, including those in energy poverty.
(95)
A fair transition towards a climate-neutral Union by 2050 is central to the European Green Deal.
The European Pillar of Social Rights, jointly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on 17 November 2017, includes energy among the essential services which everyone is entitled to access.
Support for access to such services must be available for those in need (45), particularly in a context of inflationary pressure and significant increases in energy prices.
(45)
EPSR, Principle 20 ‘Access to essential services’: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/economyworks-people/jobs-growth-and-investment/european-pillar-social-rights/european-pillar-social-rights-20-principles_en#:~:text=E­ veryone%20has%20the%20right%20to%20access%20essential%20services%20of%20good,available%20for%20those%20in% 20need