Tag: EU policies

Brussels . . . Briefly . . .

Following the vote by the European Parliament on February 28th, it is now the turn of the European Council under the Presidency of Denmark to get a common position in order to start the trialogues. For information on the co-decision process, go to the Reference Material page.   All indications show that the negotiations will start … Continue reading Brussels . . . Briefly . . . →

New Reference Material

New material on the glossary of terms for the co-decision process has been added to the EiD page on Reference Material. To help readers, various updates on policies, programmes, definitions and so on related to energy efficiency and renewable energy have been added.  Now, on the page you will find: 1 European Energy Efficiency Policies … Continue reading New Reference Material →

Neighbourhood Watch

Public buildings are required to display an energy performance certificate, as mandated by the recast of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.  This is required for all buildings larger than 500 square metres.  That threshold will drop to 250 square metres in 2015.  The city hall of the 18th district (arrondissement) of Paris (where … Continue reading Neighbourhood Watch →

IEA Energy Policy Review of Slovak Republic

In early February, the International Energy Agency published its in-depth review of Slovak energy policies with important findings on sustainable energy.  The key objectives of Slovak energy policy include energy efficiency, reducing energy intensity, reducing dependence on energy imports, expanding the use of nuclear power, increasing the share of renewables and supporting the use of … Continue reading IEA Energy Policy Review of Slovak Republic →

Mesures européennes pour l’efficacité énergétique

Yes, this website is in English, but EiD wants to make you aware of a small technical report EiD’s editor, Rod Janssen did on the energy efficiency strategy in Europe.  This report is now available from the Institut de l’énergie et de l’environnement de la Francophonie.  It is a useful guide for anyone who needs … Continue reading Mesures européennes pour l’efficacité énergétique →

Creating jobs in the energy efficiency field – not an easy job, but worth it

Energy efficiency initiatives create jobs, and normally very good jobs.  Recent analysis shows that between 17 and 19 net jobs can be created for every million euros spent.  That is a million euros from all sources.  And since the analysis shows that energy efficiency activities are more labour-intensive than manufacturing, decision-makers should pay close attention.  … Continue reading Creating jobs in the energy efficiency field – not an easy job, but worth it →

Basics of energy efficiency – a basic need?

There is quite widespread acknowledgement of the importance of improved energy efficiency; but when the economy wobbles, energy efficiency assumes secondary importance, at best. Europe is making the transition to a low carbon economy. Council has agreed to an 80-95 % reduction in GHG emissions by 2050 if certain international conditions are met, and energy … Continue reading Basics of energy efficiency – a basic need? →

Renewables news

The European Wind Energy Association has just published 2011 data on wind energy.  Wind power capacity of 9616 MW was installed in the EU in 2011, at a value of €12.6 billion.  This was down only slightly from 2010, when 9648 MW was installed.  Wind power represented 21.4 % of total power capacity installations in … Continue reading Renewables news →

Brussels Briefing #1 – an ambitious Energy Efficiency Directive?

From a distance, and even inside Brussels, the process to put sustainable energy policies and programmes in place can be baffling.  Here is an attempt to untangle the process for the draft Energy Efficiency Directive and the many voices trying to shape its final form. The Energy Efficiency Directive was published in June 2011. The … Continue reading Brussels Briefing #1 – an ambitious Energy Efficiency Directive? →