Tag: energy efficiency

The most effective means of improving the energy efficiency of the European housing sector would be a common zero rate of investment in existing residential dwellings, David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation of England, told EurActiv in an interview.

Consumers and businesses in developing countries could save an estimated $600 billion a year by 2020 by investing in more energy-efficient cars, appliances and production methods, according to research by the McKinsey Global Institute.

Power chargers for a range of devices including mobile phones and laptop computers will have to meet stricter energy saving requirements following the adoption of EU-wide standards on Friday (17 October).

Energy efficiency can increase the EU's energy independence and should take centre stage in the Commission's upcoming second strategic energy review, argue a group of MEPs in a letter to future EU presidencies. 

"There is still some way to go" to translate the progress made by EU energy policy in recent years into "efficient policy responses," writes Jørgen Henningsen, senior advisor on energy and environmental issues at the European Policy Centre (EPC).

The Commission should propose a binding target o f achieving 20% greater energy efficiency by 2020 as part of EU efforts to maintain the security of its energy supplies , urges a coalition of leading European associations in the energy-efficiency sector.

LEED, the internationally-recognised voluntary 'green' building rating system, is due to be revamped to take better account of the energy use and environmental performance of buildings. 

A range of electric devices in the EU will in future be required to use significantly less energy when idle or in stand-by mode. The rules are expected to be endorsed by Parliament later this year and would take effect as of 2010.

Although most EU member states have put forward their action plans to improve energy efficiency for the period 2008-2016, as mandated by EU law, the plans differ widely from one another and lack coherence, according to a new study.  

As current levels of carbon emissions approach "unsustainable levels", the International Energy Agency (IEA) has released a report urging governments to implement a "global energy technology revolution" to reverse existing trends.

Financial barriers, including high initial cost barriers and an inadequacy of traditional financing instruments, are a key element preventing private actors from engaging further towards making the residential building sector more energy efficient, according to a study from the International Energy Agency (IEA) published on 20 March.

More than €100 million are set to flow into a new Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF), which the Commission hopes will generate up to €1 billion in risk capital for 'green' energy projects in developing states. Parliament approved the fund during a 13 March plenary session in Strasbourg.

Criticism has been mounting amid accusations that despite its ambitious climate and energy agenda, the EU is not doing enough to improve energy efficiency. But the Commission is working to address the imbalance, notably by hiring more staff and potentially proposing binding energy efficiency targets, says Pirjo-Liisa Koskimäki, a head of unit in the Commission's energy department. She spoke with EurActiv in an interview.

The European Commission has issued a first, grim assessment of energy-savings plans submitted by member states last year, pointing to a lack of political commitment to reduce energy consumption at national level. But Brussels itself is being criticised for dropping the issue in favour of policies with a higher political profile.

While Europe's appliance manufacturers are pushing for a numerical energy performance label and mandatory phase-outs of inefficient machines, EU member states are severely behind in implementing energy efficiency legislation, particularly in the buildings sector. 

The industry lobby group BusinessEurope has warned that the EU must focus more on energy efficiency, rather than renewable energies and emissions trading, if it wants to prevent energy-intensive industries such as chemicals and steel-making from taking their operations elsewhere.

The Commission has launched infringement proceedings against 12 member states for failing to deliver action plans on energy efficiency. France and Latvia face separate legal action over their failure to introduce legislation on buildings efficiency.

With sustained economic growth, the rising demand for travel, homes and leisure in the developed world has led to a 14% increase in energy-use and related CO2 emissions since 1990, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned in a new report.

A row is brewing over a proposal by UK Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson to scrap EU anti-dumping duties of up to 66% on energy-efficient light bulbs imported from China, as his German counterpart, in charge of industry, Günter Verheugen, attempts to block the move. 

A new survey has found that most property professionals overestimate the cost of constructing energy-efficient buildings by up to 300%. Buildings account for some 40% of the EU's final energy consumption, but implementation of EU legislation to improve building efficiency has been delayed in most member states.

Climate security and fuel security both depend on upgrading infrastructure, and especially end-use infrastructure, says Walt Patterson in a Chatham House paper released in June 2007. Investment in climate and fuel security should be encouraged - by investing in technologies that use fuels and electricity, rather than in the energy supply chain, he argues.

Although efforts are increasing to improve energy efficiency in order to reduce CO2 emissions linked to global warming, economic growth in the EU is increasingly energy-intensive, according to a new study by the Commission.

The transport sector, with its significant contribution to greenhouse-gas emissions and ever-increasing growth rates, is going to feel the heat of EU regulation, European transport ministers pledged at a meeting on 8 June.

Commission President Barroso outlined the EU's objectives on energy-efficiency and climate change for the G8 Summit on 6-8 June and commented on increasingly tense relations with Russia after a chilly bilateral summit in May.