European Commission adopts Energy Efficiency Plan 2011
On 8th March 2011, the EC adopted its Communication, "Energy Efficiency Plan 2011", which puts energy efficiency at the heart of the Europe 2020 Strategy for what it calls “smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and the transition to a resource efficient economy.”
According to the Communication, “energy efficiency is one of the
most cost effective ways to enhance security of energy supply, and to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. In many
ways, energy efficiency can be seen as Europe's biggest energy
resource.”
Despite steps taken by the EU to save 20% of its primary energy
consumption by 2020, compared to projections, recent Commission
estimates suggest that the EU is on course to achieve only half of the
20% objective. On 4th February 2011, the European Council called for
Member States to take “determined action to tap the considerable
potential for higher energy savings of buildings, transport and
products and processes.” The new Energy Efficiency Plan is the EC’s
response to this.
The Energy Efficiency Plan will be coordinated with other policy
actions under the Europe 2020 Strategy's Flagship Initiative for a
Resource Efficient Europe, including the 2050 Roadmap for a low-carbon
economy.
According to the Communication, the combined effects of full
implementation of the existing and new measures will “transform our
daily life and have the potential to generate financial savings of up
to EUR 1 000 per household every year; improve Europe’s industrial
competitiveness; create up to 2 million jobs; and reduce annual
greenhouse gas emissions by 740 million tonnes.” The greatest energy
saving potential lies in buildings, says the Communication, followed by
the transport sector and lastly, industry.
Concrete measures proposed included renovation of buildings and a
greater use of ‘smart meters’.
For further information:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/action_plan/action_plan_en.htm
