Brussels, 22/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Secretary General of the "European Insulation Manufacturers Association" (EURIMA), which brings together 36 European producers of glass wool and rock wool, Horst Biedermann, recently said that the action plan being proposed by the European Commission to improve energy efficiency was a "big step backwards". Ten years ago, the Commission had proposed setting a goal of 20% for energy savings, he pointed out, regretting the fact the current action plan only refers to 12%. Mr. Biedermann notes that the paper recognises the essential role of building insulation (whose energy consumption represents 40% of all energy consumed in Europe), but deplores the fact that it has totally abdicated responsibility regarding high energy yield buildings to Member States. Mr. Biedermann regards this action plan all the more disappointing in that it appears at a time when a re[port by "Caleb Management Services" recalls the importance of insulation measures in buildings to attain a high level of energy efficiency. He then adds, condemning "the lack of Commission ambition", that "in the current state of things, the reduction of 8% of CO2 emissions promised by the European Union is now beginning to become an increase of 7% of emissions".