Brussels, 23/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - On the basis on the Commission action plan adopted on 19 October (see EUROPE 9290), the overall approach of which it supported, on Thursday the Council unanimously adopted conclusions on energy efficiency and energy savings which constitute, it said “a cornerstone” of the EU's energy policy. At the last moment, Denmark, which was calling for the inclusion of a binding 1.15% energy savings target in annual energy consumption, for the EU as a whole and for each Member State, lifted its reservations.
With a package of 75 measures to be implemented over six years, the energy efficiency action plan seeks to exploit potential energy savings at Community level allowing savings of 20% in its total energy consumption by 2020.
In its conclusions, the Council points out firstly the importance of taking advantage of existing Community legislation on energy efficiency by fully implementing it. It suggests that any legislation discouraging energy efficiency be reviewed and amended where justified. In addition, it points out how important it is that every new legislative proposal be subject to an impact assessment providing a clear view of the potential cost-effective energy savings. The subsidiarity principle should be respected and voluntary agreements with industry should be considered where appropriate - two further essential criteria for acting at Community level, says the Council.
The Council particularly emphasised five of the Commission's proposals for action:
- adoption of an integrated approach and a wide range of measures, including voluntary agreements and legislative measures to stimulate the transport sector, in cooperation with the motor car and fuel sectors. The Council also encourages the Commission and Member States to ensure a combined improvement in vehicle efficiency, driver behaviour, infrastructure and urban and multi-modal transport. Should there be a need, measures to reduce the need for transport should be considered;
- improvements in the minimum requirements in energy efficiency applicable to energy consuming equipment and the adoption of standards of energy performance. The aim is to encourage market penetration of products with better energy efficiency and the removal of less efficient products, said the Council, stressing the importance of using the eco-planning directive and reinforcing international cooperation on standards of energy performance, particularly by following the example of the Euro-American Energy Star;
- full implementation of the directive on the energy efficiency of buildings, the extension of its scope and the inclusion in the directive of minimum standards of energy performance for new and renovated buildings ;
- raising the awareness of all energy consumers of the need to economise energy, by showing theme the advantages linked to the available technologies and efficient behaviour in terms of energy. The Council in particular suggests a review of the directive on labelling of energy consuming products. It stresses, too, the importance of the role of the public sector as an example and the need to encourage, at all decision-making levels, national, regional and local, education and training, among both individuals from an early age and the generality of economic players;
- use of the instruments available at European, national and regional levels, particularly the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development to optimise the contribution of R&D to the improvement of energy efficiency. The Council also underlines the importance of ensuring better dissemination on the market of the results obtained by R&D in energy efficient products and services
Discussions on the energy mix, broad agreement for a target for renewables
During an informal dinner on Wednesday evening, energy ministers discussed the development of the energy policy for Europe and the choice of energy sources (the energy mix). According to the President of the Council, Mauri Pekkarinen, the Twenty Five agreed on the EU's need to increase self-sufficiency in energy and reduce its dependence on external energy sources by giving a “central role” to renewable energy and bio-energy, as well as reducing CO2 emissions. During Thursday's public debate, there was broad consensus among Member States on a deciding on a target for the share of renewable energy in the EU energy mix. Only Germany, Belgium, Sweden and, of course, Denmark, came out in favour of a binding target. Faithful to its pro-nuclear position, France said it favoured the suggestion, put forward in March by Commission President José Manuel Barroso in a personal capacity, that 50% of the EU's energy mix in 20 years' time should come from energy which emits little or no carbon. (hb)