European Energy Efficiency Legislation

Reducing energy consumption and eliminating energy wastage are among the main goals of the European Union (EU). EU support for improving energy efficiency will prove decisive for competitiveness, security of supply and for meeting the commitments on climate change made under the Kyoto Protocol. There is significant potential for reducing consumption, especially in energy-intensive sectors such as buildings, manufacturing, energy conversion and transport. At the end of 2006, the EU pledged to cut its annual consumption of primary energy by 20% by 2020. To achieve this goal, it is working to mobilise public opinion, decision-makers and market operators and to set minimum energy efficiency standards and rules on labelling for products, services and infrastructure.

Summary

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Reducing energy consumption and eliminating energy wastage are among the main goals of the European Union (EU). EU support for improving energy efficiency will prove decisive for competitiveness, security of supply and for meeting the commitments on climate change made under the Kyoto Protocol. There is significant potential for reducing consumption, especially in energy-intensive sectors such as buildings, manufacturing, energy conversion and transport. At the end of 2006, the EU pledged to cut its annual consumption of primary energy by 20% by 2020. To achieve this goal, it is working to mobilise public opinion, decision-makers and market operators and to set minimum energy efficiency standards and rules on labelling for products, services and infrastructure.

Information on this webpage covers:

POLICY ORIENTATIONS

    * Energy efficiency for the 2020 goal
    * Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (2007-12)
    * Green Paper on energy efficiencyArchives
    * Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) (2007-2013)
    * The Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund
    * "Intelligent Energy for Europe" programme (2003-2006)Archives
    * Action Plan for energy efficiency (2000-2006)Archives

DELIVERING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

    * Energy performance of buildings
    * Energy end-use efficiency and energy services
    * Cogeneration

    * Energy efficiency of products
          o Product energy consumption: Information and labelling (from July 2011)
          o Tyre labelling
          o Ecodesign for energy-using appliances
          o Household appliances: energy consumption labelling (until 2011)
          o Energy efficiency of office equipment: The Energy Star Programme (EU - US)
          o Energy efficiency: energy efficiency requirements for ballasts for fluorescent lighting
          o Hot-water boilers

Related Information on the Regions 202020 Website:

• Sustainable Energy Theme(s): Energy Efficiency in Industry : Energy Efficient Products : Energy services (ESCOs, Building Performance Contracts, etc) : Sustainable / Energy Efficient Buildings
• Country(ies): Austria : Belgium : Bulgaria : Cyprus : Czech Republic : Germany : Denmark : Estonia : Spain : Finland : France : Greece : Hungary : Ireland : Italy : Lithuania : Luxembourg : Latvia : Malta : Netherlands : Poland : Portugal : Romania : Sweden : Slovenia : Slovakia : United Kingdom

Last updated: 11/04/2011 5:49pm - Contact: