Improving energy efficiency in the EU
Three groups of measures for improving energy efficiency are being put forward by the European Commission following its adoption of an action plan to improve energy efficiency in the European Union (EU). According to the Commission, current market barriers are preventing the 'satisfactory diffusion of energy-efficient technology and the efficient use of energy'. However, it says, there is potential to save more than 18% of the EU's present energy consumption. The action plan outlines policies and measures intended to overcome or remove these barriers and includes the following measures: - Measures to enhance the integration of energy efficiency into other Community non-energy policy and programme areas: - - for transport efficiency: voluntary agreements on efficiency of passenger cars and increased consumer information including labelling; - - for household appliances, commercial and other end use equipment, including increased labelling negotiated agreements and standards; - - for industry and energy transformation sector: coordinated EU-level actions on long-term agreements on industry, and measures to promote co-generation and energy services; - - for buildings: an Amended Directive (93/76/EEC) with better energy certification, insulation standards, boiler inspection and 'installed systems'. - Horizontal strengthening measures for re-enforcing existing successful Community energy efficiency measures: - - local and regional agencies and similar networks, new responsibilities for the implementation of the Action Plan; - - third-party financing and similar schemes to improve energy efficiency investment; - - EU-level information campaign to launch the Action Plan; - - improved monitoring and evaluation. - New common and coordinated policies and measures: - - a public procurement initiative; - - an initiative on cooperative technology procurement; - - energy audit actions; - - an EU-level best-practice initiative. As the Commission adopted the Action Plan, Vice President of the European Commission, Ms Loyola de Palacio, who is also the Commissioner responsible for transport and energy, spoke of the significance of the Energy action plan's contribution to bringing carbon dioxide emissions down to the levels set at by the 1997 Kyoto agreement. 'The Energy efficiency plan is a new step in the EU action to create a global and coherent strategy in order to meet the Kyoto commitments. Its both ambitious and realistic approach should allow all the different actors to contribute to the common effort.' The European Action Plan will be submitted to all relevant European Institutions, including the next Energy Council on 30 May 2000.