European Energy White Paper published on January 10 2007
09/01/07

The new European energy policy will be built around energy saving as its “most significant element”. Issued by the European Commission on January 10, it is due to be approved by the heads of all 27 European governments when they meet on March 8.

The key strategic objective for Europe is to “reduce the CO2 from its energy use” by 20% compared to 1990 “in a manner compatible with its competitiveness objectives.” This will be followed by a 35% cut by 2030, and 50% by 2050. Achieving this will also “represent a major step forward in dealing with the security of supply.”

The first “stepping stone” along the way is, unequivocally, energy saving. The new policy declares that the EU shall start “today” a process that will lead it to become the world’s most energy efficient region. Energy efficiency will improve by at least one-fifth by 2020, by implementing the 75-point Action Plan launched last autumn by EC President Jose Barroso. The Action Plan is described as “one of the highest political priorities”.

Adopting a common energy policy is a new venture for Europe, a process set in train during the UK six month Presidency in 2005. In an echo of the UK’s 2003 Energy White Paper, it promises a “step change” in energy saving – describing improved energy efficiency as having the “potential to make the strongest contribution to achieving the core objectives of sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply.” Significantly, given its previous totemic status, the policy paper concedes that carbon trading “cannot achieve the transition to a low carbon economy alone.”

The policy paper stresses the urgency of addressing energy saving, as “every inefficient piece of equipment installed will generate a legacy that will waste citizens’ incomes, reduce EU competitiveness and make our climate change commitments increasingly difficult to achieve”.

Amongst other initiatives proposed is to triple the proportion of renewable energy by 2020, the creation of a new pan-European energy regulator to ensure consistency across borders, and a new Office of the Energy Observatory, to monitor progress for the heads of governments.

For the first time in a generation, energy policy is emerging as one of the most important international issues. Unlike previously, when all efforts concentrated upon energy supply sources, it does seem that reducing consumption is now being given the strategic role. 

The strong emphasis placed upon energy efficiency was welcomed by EuroACE. "This new policy endorses our platform, that saving energy is the most effective way of saving our planet, whilst creating jobs and reducing energy imports. Genuinely a win-win-win policy."