CLEAN ENERGY FUTURES
We are all consumers of energy services, and we all have the potential to drive forward clean energy transitions.
Action from consumers is increasingly seen as key to reaching net zero. Demand-side changes could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% by 2050.
For this to happen, people will need support in making fundamental changes to how they travel, cook, or heat, cool and power their homes.
At the same time, escalating and unstable energy prices have underscored the risks consumers face. Consumers have found themselves picking up the bill for market forces and geopolitical fallout far beyond their control.
We work to ensure consumers are protected, empowered, and engaged in a fast, fair, and accountable transition to clean energy.
Empowering consumers in the transition to clean energy
The transition depends on consumer action. But what policy interventions, business models, and innovations are needed to unlock change?
We develop policy recommendations for policy-makers, regulators and industry to to ensure consumers everywhere can engage in and benefit from the transition. Our white paper 'Consumer protection and empowerment for a clean energy future' outlines the barriers consumers face in adopting clean energy practices, as well as the interventions needed to build consumer confidence and trust.
Ambitious, cross-cutting collaboration is needed to:
- Align consumer and energy policy at international and national levels
- Support market offers and business models that protect and empower consumers by design
- Scale data and intelligence on the consumer side of energy transitions.
Helping consumers adopt clean energy solutions
Increasingly affordable home technologies like solar panels, batteries, and efficient electrical devices are creating a cleaner and cheaper alternative for consumers.
Households around the world are using ‘one-stop-shops’ to make this transition easier. One-stop-shops are integrated hubs that provide consumers with advice and support with installation and financing in the energy transition.
What are we doing?
- Our global study identified 113 of these solutions globally. From this we built recommendations for policy-makers to unlock the consumer renewable transition by increasing the availability and effectiveness of one-stop-shops.
- We secured commitments from one-stop-shops worldwide to empower consumers in the energy transition.
- We led a global media campaign calling on policy-makers and energy leaders to secure greater support for consumers in a fair energy future.
- We released a joint letter with 25 of our Members calling for leaders at COP28 to ensure a fair deal for consumers.
Raising the voice of energy consumers
Consumers International raises the consumer voice to energy leaders through representation within international policy-making bodies and fora.
Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions
Consumers International is a member of the International Energy Agency's Global Commission to integrate the principle of fairness into the design of all clean energy policies. The Commission will develop actionable policy recommendations for energy and climate ministers and international decision makers.
Our impact
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United Nations Climate Change We attend the world’s leading climate conference to facilitate greater collaboration between government, business and consumers and drive forward demand-side action. Our impact at COP26 cop27COP28 |
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) We work with UNCTAD to update and expand consumer policy for the energy transition. Through our advocacy in 2024 the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy voted to recognise the crucial role that consumers play in the transition to clean energy and encourage Member States to empower consumers and improve access to clean energy. Our impact
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Our record of energy advocacy
We have worked on energy for almost sixty years, campaigning and advocating on issues such as affordable, reliable and safe energy supply, fuel poverty, energy efficiency, accountable markets, clean billing and tariffs, as well as new developments such as demand-side management and smart meters.
2015
In 2015, we lobbied for the inclusion of ‘universal access to clean energy’ in the 2015 revision of the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection.
2016
Consumers International proposed and drafted the first international standard on energy services at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 50007).
2022
At the Sixth Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Consumer Protection Law and Policy, we collaborated with UN Member States to secure a place for 'Consumer Protection and the Energy Transition’ on the 2023 agenda.
2023
Against the backdrop of a global energy crisis, Consumers International and our Members chose ‘Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions’ as the theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2023.
The campaign was recognised in over 100 countries, with consumer organisations, government bodies, businesses and leading voices in energy coming together to help deliver a just transition for consumers. We hosted our Clean Energy Conference, where over 500 leaders joined a critical dialogue on meeting the twin challenge of supporting consumers while aiding a rapid transition.
How consumer organisations are delivering change
Our Members, consumer organisations in over 100 countries around the world, are leading innovative action to protect, educate and empower consumers.
Consumentenbond (Netherlands) run a renewable energy collective of over 100,000 consumers.
Consumer Council Zimbabwe has implemented a joint consumer education programme with the energy regulator ZERA.
YACP(Yemen) is campaigning for the safe use of solar energy systems as a solution to poor energy access during times of conflict.
TheNetwork for Consumer Protection in Pakistan carried out a comprehensive review of consumer rights legislation and procedures, making a series of recommendations to policy-makers.
Colectivo Ecologista Jalisco (Mexico) led cross-community dialogues on the impact of thermoelectric power generation on vulnerable populations.
Latest News
Consumers International joins global commission on people-centred energy
Consumers International's Director General will join the International Energy Agency Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions. Look out for recommendations by the Commission to be released in October 2024.
Blog
In this blog, Dan Hamza-Goodacre, Integrate to Zero and Oliver Bealby-Wright, Consumers International discuss the concept of 'revenue stacking' when applied to consumer renewable energy systems, and explore the interventions needed to make these solutions accessible for consumers everywhere.
Our reaction to COP28
During COP28, we released a joint letter with 25 of our Members calling for action to ensure consumers get a fair deal in the transition. Read our team's response to the outcome of COP28.
Global moments for energy action
In the coming months we will bring the voice of consumer organisations around the world to:
To connect or collaborate, contact impact@consint.org.
Contact us
We are building a global, multi-stakeholder coalition to put consumer-powered energy transitions into action.
Leaders across government, business, civil society and academia can find out more about our energy work by contacting impact@constint.org.