EC Unveils its Energy Efficiency Action Plan to Save 20% by 2020
January 12, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
| |
| IHS Sells Standards & Regulations |
Environment/Safety/Health solutions from IHS include current & historical codes, regs & standards from gov't, int'l & industry sources.
Complete this form for a free quote. |
|
As a major step toward meeting the unprecedented energy challenges facing Europe, the European Commission (EC) presented its Energy Efficiency Action Plan in October 2006. The plan contains a package of priority measures covering a wide range of cost-effective energy efficiency initiatives. These include actions to make more energy-efficient buildings, appliances, transport and energy generation. Stringent new energy efficiency standards, promotion of energy services and specific financing mechanisms to support more energy-efficient products are proposed. In addition, the EC will set a covenant of mayors of the 20-30 most pioneering cities in Europe and propose an international agreement on energy efficiency. Altogether, over 75 measures are set forth in the plan.
The plan, which will be implemented over the next six years, comes in response to the urgent call from heads of state and government at the 2006 spring European Council 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 refrigerators 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 plan emphasises the considerable potential for reducing losses in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The plan proposes targeted instruments to improve the efficiency of both new and existing generation capacity plus to reduce transmission and distribution losses.
The plan puts forward a comprehensive set of measures for improving energy efficiency in the area of transport. It recognises that energy savings can be achieved, in particular, by ensuring fuel efficiency of cars, developing markets for cleaner vehicles, ensuring proper tyre pressure and improving the efficiency of urban, rail, maritime and aviation transport systems. The plan acknowledges the importance of changing transportation behaviour.
The plan also calls for appropriate and predictable price signals, essential for improving energy efficiency and overall economic performance. In addition, the plan contains a number of proposals to raise energy efficiency awareness, such as education and training. Finally, the plan emphasises the urgent need for energy efficiency issues to be addressed on a global level through international partnerships.
The Energy Efficiency Action Plan, when fully implemented, can improve the competitiveness of the European Union (EU), improve the living standards of its citizens, boost employment and increase exports of new, energy-efficient technology. The plan calls on individual citizens to help, pointing out that small changes in energy consumption patterns will save them money, improve the environment and work toward a common European goal. If the plan is successful, by 2020 the EU would use approximately 13% less energy than today, saving €100 billion and around 780 millions tonnes of CO2 each year.
Source: European Commission.