Energy efficiency: final vote on further measures to cut consumption

MEPs will vote in Strasbourg on new energy efficiency legislation for buildings and the new layout of the EU energy efficiency label. These measures - which come in addition to the EU's 2008 climate change package - were agreed with the Council last year but need to be endorsed first by the Industry Committee on Monday and then by the full Parliament on Wednesday.

New energy efficiency legislation will help consumers to cut their energy bills and the EU as a whole to hit its climate change target of using 20% less energy by 2020.

Building codes of the Member States will require all new buildings to have near-zero energy consumption and require regular inspections of boilers and air conditioning systems. Mandatory labels for household appliances and energy-saving products will help consumers to assess running costs.

Energy-saving buildings

All buildings built from the end of 2020 onwards must have high energy-saving standards and be powered to a large extent by renewable energy. Public authorities' building projects are to lead the way two years earlier. Part of the funding for these changes will come from the EU budget.

Where feasible the energy performance of existing buildings will have to be improved during major renovations. When renovating, owners will be encouraged to install "smart meters" and replace heating, hot-water plumbing and air-conditioning systems with high-efficiency alternatives such as heat pumps.

Buildings account for around 40% of the EU's total energy use and are Europe's largest source of emissions, so improving their energy performance would help reach CO2 emission goals. Simple measures such as better insulation could reduce emissions by up to 80%.

Efficiency label for household appliances and other products

A new layout of the energy efficiency label for household appliances and other energy-saving products allows for additional classes (with "A+++" for the most energy-efficient products) but limits the total number of energy classes to seven.

Furthermore, in future any advertisement promoting price or energy efficiency of fridges, washing machines or ovens will have to indicate the product's energy class.

Procedure: Ordinary legislative procedure, second reading (compromise with Council)Debate: Ticau - 21 April 2010 / Vote 22 April 2010Vote on Podimate report: 21 April 2010 (no debate)

Iveta Ķelpe
www.europarl.lv

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