Action Plan for Energy Efficiency published by European Commission

20/10/2006

Action Plan for Energy Efficiency published by European Commission

 

The European Commission published its 'Action Plan for Energy Efficiency: Realising the Potential' on Thursday 19th October 2006. This follows publication of its Green Paper on Energy Efficiency in June 2005 and the consultation that followed. The plan outlines a framework of policies and measures with a view to realising the over 20% (approx. 390 Mtoe) estimated savings potential in EU annual primary energy consumption by 2020. This potential 20% saving is on top of what would be achieved by price effects and structural changes in the economy, natural replacement of technology and measures already in place.

 

The plan states that "(energy efficiency) is by far the most effective way concurrently to improve security of energy supply, reduce carbon emmisions, foster competitiveness and stimulate the development of a large leading-edge market for energy-efficient technologies and products".

 

The first of ten priority actions in the plan is to promote appliance and equipment labelling and minimum energy performance standards for appliances and other energy-using equipment.

 

The plan can be viewed here: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/action_plan_energy_efficiency/doc/com_2006_0545_en.pdf

 

and a memo on the plan can be read here: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/387&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en