Five MEPs launched a new coalition on 6 March 2007 to inform and influence EU and national policymakers on energy efficiency. They were joined by representatives of several EU- industry associations.
Two days before the Spring Summit, five MEPs presented the new Energy Efficiency Watch, a cross-party coalition of politicians, industry associations and NGOs. The press launch called for "action, not talk", in view of member states' hesitations to introduce serious measures to improve energy efficiency, but the press conference itself was had more than a dozen speakers, each presenting their own solution for energy efficiency (such as co-generation of heat and power, building insulation, replacing traditional lightbulbs with modern energy-saving models, etc).
Mechtild Rothe (PSE), Anders Wijkman (EPP), Claude Turmes (Greens), Fiona Hall (ALDE) and Dutch MP Boris van der Ham all presented their case for a stronger energy-efficiency policy at EU and national level. One of the MEPs' main recommendations was to strengthen the Commission's capacity and staffing to deal with the issue.
"We want to repeat the success story of the renewables lobby, which now has an influential position with decision makers," said Claude Turmes.
Six industry associations already decided to join the parliamentary initiative: EURIMA (mineral wool insulation producers), EuroAce (aliance for companies for energy efficiency in buildings), COGEN (assocation for promotion of co-generation), ELCFED (lamp companies federation), EuroCopper (copper industry) and GEPVP (flat glass manufacturers). WWF is the only NGO in the coalition.
The Energy Efficiency Watch will accompany and monitor developments on energy efficiency, offer best-practice advice to governments, which have to prepare national energy efficiency action plans by June 2007 and provide an internet site for energy efficiency communication. The budget for the initiative is €400,000, with half coming from an EU project and the rest invested by companies with an interest in the issue.