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The main objective of this Commission-produced Green Paper on energy efficiency is to elicit views from Member States on 25 specific questions, all relating to how Europe can achieve a energy efficiency improvements to enhance competitiveness (in accordance with the Lisbon Agenda), energy security and the environment. The questions appear at the beginning of the Green Paper, and the various relevant Commission websites (via link below) all have the 25 questions as a separate link, to encourage responses.

The issues being promoted in the Green Paper are:
• the concept of setting up Implementation Plans at national level, with peer review processes
• setting tough public procurement standards as market stimulators
• better use of programmes like structural funds
• extending the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive – changing Article 6 to cover refurbishment of all buildings
• giving citizens better public awareness
• following the polluter pays principle

The outcome of the consultation exercise (which closed 31 May 2006) will be to introduce a full-scale action plan which will deliver the anticipated 60 billion euro savings, 20% of anticipated energy consumption in 2020.

EuroACE has responded to the questions posed in the Green Paper. The response, and responses by Member States and the European Parliament can be downloaded below.

• New! European Parliament Industry, Research & Energy Committee response (May 2006) to Green Paper
• Member States' response (October 2005) to Green Paper
• EuroACE response (October 2005) to Green Paper
• Doing more with less - Green Paper on energy efficiency
• Green Paper homepage on Europa website