Action plan for energy efficiency: Realising the potential - saving 20% by 2020
Type: Legislation
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In July 2007, Luc Werring, senior economic advisor, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, gave an interview on the state of play of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan within the Energy Policy for the European Union following the agreements of the European Council in March 2007. |
As a major step toward meeting the unprecedented energy challenges facing the EU, the European Commission presented its Energy Efficiency Action Plan on 19 October 2006, which has now been incorporated within the Energy Policy for Europe of 10 January 2007. The Plan contains a package of priority measures covering a wide range of cost-effective energy efficiency initiatives. These include actions to make energy appliances, buildings, transport and energy generation more efficient. Stringent new energy efficiency standards, promotion of energy services, specific financing mechanisms to support more energy efficient products are proposed. The Commission will furthermore set a Covenant of Mayors of the 20-30 most pioneering cities in Europe and will propose an international agreement on energy efficiency. Altogether, over 75 measures are set forth.
The Action Plan, which will be implemented over the next six years, is in response to the urgent call from Heads of State and Government at the Spring European Council this year for a realistic Energy Efficiency strategy. The Plan underlines the importance of minimum energy performance standards for a wide range of appliances and equipment (from household goods such as fridges and air conditioners to industrial pumps and fans), and for buildings and energy services. In combination with performance ratings and labelling schemes minimum performance standards represent a powerful tool for removing inefficient products from the market, informing consumers of the most efficient products and transforming the market to make it more energy efficient. Minimum performance requirements for new and renovated buildings will be developed. Very low energy consumption buildings (or passive houses) will also be promoted.
The official website for the Action Plan includes a number of documents, many of which are available in all official languages of the European Union. The documents include:
- Brochure - 2020 Vision: Saving our Energy
- Energy Efficiency action plan
- Commission Staff Working Document
- Impact Assessment Report
- Press Releases
- Education on energy (teaching tomorrow's energy consumers)
- Energy efficiency in buildings (leaflet)
- Combining Heat and Power (leaflet)
