Strasbourg, 09/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - Following the informal Energy Council in Brussels on Tuesday 7 September, European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger raised the possibility of using European structural funds in future to improve the energy performance of buildings, which are responsible for 40% of the EU's CO2 emissions. “Regional policy budgets could be linked to energy efficiency targets in buildings,” he said. With their aim of supporting the development of Europe's regions, the structural funds are worth almost €50 billion per year. Oettinger also promised the new Community action plan for energy efficiency for the end of this year. This plan will help the EU reach its target of making 20% energy savings by 2020. It will set out the potential for improvement in the various member states and in the different sectors. “The potential of homes and buildings is among the highest,” the commissioner said. He could not be drawn, however, on whether the targets that will be decided are to be binding. (E.H./transl.rt)