FEDENE's proposals for local authorities: combining environmental concerns with controlling energy costs

This guide is structured around four key areas: reducing energy consumption, decarbonizing heating, cooling buildings in an environmentally responsible way, and stimulating local economic activity.

For local authorities, the energy transition presents several challenges: environmental, but also economic and social. Heat accounts for more than 40% of our energy consumption, and 60% of this heat comes from fossil fuels. This dependence on fossil fuels can have significant consequences for local areas: fluctuating prices depending on the geopolitical situation, jeopardizing energy security, and contributing to climate change.

To address these challenges, FEDENE member companies have identified concrete measures:

Axis 1: consume less

Public buildings account for 81% of municipalities' energy consumption. Reducing this expenditure is an economic, environmental, and exemplary matter for public service.

Energy renovation of the most energy-intensive buildings, energy performance contracts (EPCs) and building management systems (BMS) are concrete levers to reduce consumption and sustainably enhance the value of municipal assets.

Axis 2: Warming up

To move away from fossil fuels and protect citizens from rising energy prices, local authorities can develop renewable and recovered resources: heat from waste-to-energy or industrial processes, geothermal energy, solar thermal energy, or wood energy. For heating public buildings, apartment buildings, and businesses, the creation or expansion of urban heating networks is an ideal way to utilize these renewable and recovered energy sources.

Axis 3: Refresh yourself

With the increasing frequency of heat waves, sustainably cooling buildings is a crucial environmental and public health issue. The creation of district cooling networks, or the use of geothermal cooling solutions, offers communities more environmentally friendly and efficient alternatives to individual air conditioning.

Axis 4: Stimulating economic activity

Renewable energy and energy recovery projects rely on local resources, the mobilization of which generates sustainable jobs and creates value for local economic stakeholders. The energy services sector is booming, with significant recruitment needs throughout France. By connecting schools, apprenticeship training centers, and local businesses, local authorities can encourage young people and those seeking career changes to pursue careers in this sector.

For Pascal Guillaume, President of FEDENE: “Every local authority can take action to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. By doing so, it will reap tangible benefits from the transition: better control of energy bills, improved comfort for residents and users, and enhanced use of local resources. With this White Paper, FEDENE is committed to working alongside local authorities to provide them with tools for action and offer concrete measures.”

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.