France pushes for energy savings as 'security' issue[fr][de] 

"Improving energy efficiency is the top priority," said the French Presidency in a briefing note ahead of a meeting of EU energy ministers on Friday (10 October).

"It is one of the most effective means of increasing energy security; it is the cornerstone of our ambitious policy to combat global warming."

France, which currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, will urge ministers at the meeting to back its calls for the European Commission to speed up implementation of an EU Action Plan on energy efficiency, adopted in 2006.

"That action plan must be implemented with determination, in particular in the building and transport sectors," it said, drawing attention to a set of 25 recommendations set out in a report by the International Energy Agency last year.

Specifically, the French EU Presidency proposes that "demanding specifications" be adopted by the end of this year for certain categories of domestic appliances "and in particular domestic lighting". The objective is to draw up specifications for "over 20 categories of product over the next three years," the paper says.

In addition, the French Presidency wants the Commission to revise its directives on eco-design of products and energy labelling "before the end of 2009".

It also wants more demanding EU rules to reduce energy consumption in buildings. A Commission proposal, due in November, "will set more ambitious goals, in particular as regards new buildings," the paper states. "That directive should also be adopted before the end of 2009."