Topten

Geographical location:

Europe/Middle-East > West Central Europe > Belgium

Summary

Topten is a transparent consumer-oriented online search tool that enables comparison of all kind of energy consuming equipments. It presents the most energy-efficient up-to-date appliances in various categories of products, including household appliances, office equipments, consumer electronics and cars. For each product information is provided on energy performance and several other characteristics of interest for consumers are specified (i.e. brand, model, price, picture).

Topten is independent of producers and commercial distributors, and relies on labels and standardized declarations, neutral tests and analysis of independent institutions.

Background

Guided by the key recommendations of WWF’s Climate Solutions Vision report, WWF Belgium shall focus on cutting energy demand while maintaining and increasing energy services in Belgium. Implementing policies to use only very efficient products will play a central part to stay below 2 degrees Celsius global warming. WWF’s Climate Solutions Vision estimates that about 40% of all the actions to combat climate change and contribute to cutting global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by around 80% by 2050 will come from energy efficiency and energy conservation.

With limited capacity energy efficiency has been the main focus of WWF Belgium's climate change work during the past 2 years. We joined the Euro-Topten project and implemented adhoc policy work on key issues. The Climate Savers approach has been used in Belgian partnership with Tetrapak.

Topten Belgium is set up with support of Greenpeace Belgium and the Brussels Institute for Management of the Environment (IBGE-BIM).

Objectives

Make energy efficient products the normal and best choice for consumers, retailers and manufacturers.

Solution

The Topten website is the main tool. It encourages consumers to choose energy efficient products, by offering them a simple comparison and selection of the most energy efficient products. For each product Topten offers recommendations regarding energy efficient use.

The ultimate objective is to reach a critical mass able to shift the market towards higher energy efficiency. Topten websites attract a large number of visitors, which will make manufacturers willing to cooperate in transforming the market. In addition, it will raise awareness among decision-makers to develop policies on efficient products.

Topten also aims at establishing a constructive dialogue with the multinational industry to orient manufacturers towards more energy efficient appliances. Topten wants to initiate dialogues with responsible governments and the private sector, including retailers.