Energy efficiency a priority, according to European consultation
The European Commission has published a summary of contributions in response to the Green Paper on energy efficiency, 'Doing More with less'. The summary concludes that while enthusiasm for energy efficiency is high, there is not enough information on the issue, and the EU has a key role in promoting energy efficiency. 'Doing More with Less' sets a target of a 20 per cent reduction in energy consumption by 2020. The EU currently increases its energy consumption by one to two per cent year-on-year. The consultation sought opinion on 25 questions related to the Green Paper, which launched on 22 June 2005, with the cut-off date for comments in March 2006. This summary document draws together those comments. In general, contributors favoured a combined carrot and stick approach, using economic measures to stimulate the energy efficiency market. Participants also said that the EU needs to do more to inform people. 'Citizens, local authorities and industry are often not aware of the possibilities they have to improve energy efficiency, neither of the implementation of technology nor of the funding possibilities to develop it,' reads the report. Contributors also felt that the carbon-trading scheme was working. However, submissions did close before the carbon-trading scheme for 2005 was found to have issued too many credits. Energy efficiency was also considered to be a key market and essential to sustainable economic growth, but bureaucracy should be light. Some regions and Member States 'already have energy efficiency plans, and [...] they just need to be stimulated and effectively implemented, not overburdened by more policies,' reads the report. The authors derived opinion from contributions, using a statistical analysis of keywords. Key findings were as follows: - There is not enough information on energy efficiency; - There should be more awareness of energy efficiency in schools and universities, which would in turn drive more energy efficiency solutions; - Policy should be sidelined in favour of action, especially in favour of regional agencies, funded through Structural Funds or the EU; - Best practice should be disseminated as far as possible, again with EU support; - Public Authorities should take a lead through procurement and example, developing markets in the process; - Labelling of energy efficient products should be extended; - Energy service companies should use their skills to reduce energy waste in public buildings and local businesses, and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive should be extended to cover buildings smaller than 1,000 square metres; - Much work needs to be done in transport, from greater energy efficiency in engines to staggered taxation of vehicles to promote a shift to fuel efficiency, to traffic and road management; - The energy production sector needs much work, to improve the efficiency of energy production; - Combining heat and power could provide huge energy efficiency savings; - Economic incentives will boost the area; - Energy efficient practice should be actively promote globally. The document will now go to the European Commission as part of the consultation on energy efficiency, which includes an impact assessment of new technologies and policies. The Commission will present an Action Plan on energy efficiency to the European Parliament and European Council later this year. The report is transparent, with 241 contributors - 31 from NGOs, 66 from Member States and public bodies, 106 from industry and private sector and 38 from citizens - listed in the summary annex.