New technologies have the potential to help reduce energy consumption and therefore greenhouse emissions, but this opportunity is still highly underused. As the European Commission already proposed in its energy efficiency action plan of 2006, the use of smart technologies in buildings can play a crucial role in decreasing consumption.
"ICTs are everywhere, but they are not used enough yet to tackle climate change issues," said Commissioner Reding during a conference on the potential of ICT for "greening the economy" at the European Business Summit in Brussels.
To tackle the problem, the commissioner announced a range of actions for "the coming months". The EU executive will start with a document suggesting the way forward. Then there will be a stakeholders' forum, followed by a final recommendation by the European Commission. "Everything [will be] in 2008," pointed out Reding.
Anticipating the forthcoming initiatives, the Commissioner argued that "if necessary, we can also consider mandatory public-procurement standards" in order to achieve more energy-efficient utilisation of information and communication technologies. She addressed in particular the necessity of cutting excessive consumption in cities, buildings and cars.
The commissioner also went further, suggesting the introduction of new taxes to bring an end to polluting activities. "If you say that cars are polluting, people agree but nothing happens. If you rise taxes on polluting cars, you will have immediate reactions and people will understand the problem. Really we need to go for it," she said before an audience of businessmen.
However, the issue of taxation is a tricky one at EU level, with member states highly reluctant to give up their say on this sovereign, sensitive issue.
