What is the Energy Efficiency Action Plan?
The Energy Efficiency Action Plan (COM(2006)545) is a European Union policy to help countries reduce their energy consumption. The European Union wants to reduce its energy consumption by 20% by 2020. In order to do this, it has set down a set of policies under this Action Plan.
Main policy points
Transport
Improving energy efficiency in the transport sector was considered of special importance, since this sector consumes the bulk of oil products and has the fastest growing emission profile [1]. The Action Plan stresses the importance of better fuel efficiency, cleaner vehicles, maintaining the correct tyre pressure, improving the efficiency of all forms of transport and changing how people think about transport.
Appliances and equipment
Improved appliances and other energy-using equipment still offer enormous energy savings opportunities [1]. By incorporating labelling and minimum energy performance standards, energy savings can be made.
Energy transformation
Energy transformation is the change in one type of energy to another. For example, electricity to sound, heat or light. By making power generation and distribution more efficient, will make energy transformation more efficient, with big potential savings.
Finance
Money is required to help small and medium size firms to install more energy efficient technology within their businesses. The European Union has encouraged banks to help lend money to these size firms, and has also set up a Green Investment Fund. In the UK, the Green Investment Fund will funnel £2 billion into programs to help the UK become a low-carbon economy [2].
Energy behaviour
Changing people’s perception of energy use and energy efficiency is key to helping make energy savings across the EU. To do this, there has to be improved labelling, and education across businesses and schools.
International cooperation
This Action Plan aims to improve the cooperation between international countries, such as Brazil, China, India, Japan, Russia and the United States, on energy efficiency. This will include ways to measure and evaluate energy efficiency, stating minimum energy performance requirements for goods and services, labelling and certification and energy audits.
The future
In early 2011, the Commission is to present a new Energy Efficiency Action Plan [3]. This will include:
- the creation of an Energy Infrastructure Package (EIP). This Package will incorporate a plan for energy infrastructure development and financing for the 2020 and 2030 horizon. A blue print for offshore grids in the northern seas of Europe will be prepared, and there will be a smart grid report leading to a possible legislative proposal in 2011 [4];
- achieving progress within regional initiatives and revising the energy taxation directive in order to tax energy products on their carbon emission level [4].
- implementing a biofuel sustainability scheme [4];
- a possible initiative to step-up beyond 20 per cent to a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 [4].
References
[1] EU Energy Action Plan – http://ec.europa.eu/energy/action_plan_energy_efficiency/doc/com_2006_0545_en.pdf
[2] Green Investment Fund – http://www.greeninvestmentfund.co.uk/
[3] EU policy information – http://www.euractiv.com/en/energy-efficiency/energy-efficiency-eu-action-plan/article-143199
[4] New Energy World Network – http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/renewable-energy-news/by_technology/energy_efficiency/eu-commission-plans-raft-of-energy-and-climate-initiatives-by-2011-end.html
