Brussels, 23/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - In unanimously adopting the own initiative report by András Gyürk (EPP-ED, Hungary) on the follow-up to national energy efficiency plans on Wednesday 21 January, the European Parliament energy committee expressed its concern at the gaps contained in some, gaps which, the committee says, could prevent the EU reaching its climate targets. It, therefore calls on the European Commission to make the target of 20% energy efficiency savings by 2020 legally binding. Furthermore, the energy committee calls on member states to go beyond the national minimum indicative target of 9% by 2016, a target set in directive 2006/32/EC on the final use of energy and energy services. The committee points out that, to achieve the final objective of 20% energy efficiency savings by 2020, member states will have to set realistic intermediate targets. Moreover, it suggests that the Commission review directive 2006/32/EC in 2012. The energy committee also highlights the huge potential of energy efficiency in buildings (almost 27%), and calls on the Commission to increase significantly the percentage of structural funds and cohesion funds allocated to improving the energy efficiency of existing housing. The committee feels that national action plans should seek, in particular, to improve the quality of the homes of those on low incomes to avoid social problems resulting from unforeseen rises in fuel costs. The energy committee also recommends new measures to improve energy efficiency, such as all buildings having obligatorily to be fitted with intelligent meters within 10 years of the directive on the internal market in energy coming into effect; drawing up energy efficiency criteria with regard to public contracts; toll systems for road haulage which do not just cover the motorway system. The Gyürk report will be put to the vote in the plenary session at the start of February. (E.H./transl.rt)