Report on progress in implementing the European energy efficiency action plan is endorsed by the European Parliament’s Industry & Energy Committee
The European Parliament’s Industry & Energy Committee (ITRE) voted overwhelmingly this week to endorse the report prepared for it, on progress in implementing the European energy efficiency action plan. The rapporteur for this was Fiona Hall. The full parliament is scheduled to vote upon this report in plenary session on 28 January.

Major new climate report from Glass for Europe
The former GEPVP, now known as Glass for Europe, have published a major study on the potential benefits of using solar control glass in Europe's buildings. Used optimally, the technology could save between 15 and 80 million tonnes of CO₂ each year - that is between 5% and 25% of the EU's 2020 target for reducing CO₂ emissions. Liberal MEP Fiona Hall launched the study at a press conference in Brussels.

Quote from European Commission's workplan for 2008
A revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive "could enlarge the scope to more buildings, strengthen and specify requirements and add financing aspects"

Energy commissioner criticised for failure to implement action plan
European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs - who frequently claims energy efficiency to be his "number one priority" - comes in for heavy criticism, in a report due for endorsement by the European Parliament. Read more

New report to European Parliament Temporary Committee on Climate Change
The report provides a review of national legislation, initiatives and programmes (since 2005) on topics related to climate change.

EC moves against 12 governments for inaction on energy efficiency
The European Commission today (18.10.07) launched infringement procedures against 12 Member States, for failure to notify their national Energy Efficiency Action Plan more than three months after 30 June 2007, the date required by the 2006 Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive. Read more

New report by Energy Charter presented to UNECE 'Environment for Europe' conference
The report examines in detail the ingredients that can contribute to successful development and implementation of energy efficiency policies and programmes. Drawing upon the experience of countries from Western Europe to Central Asia, along with examples from Japan, Australia and the United States, it provides an invaluable guide to recent developments, current policies and to the challenges that remain.

US Ambassador to the EU calls EU greenhouse gas plans "unrealistic" - We do not agree, Mr Gray!
Article (published in Solaria Magazine, in English and Italian) in response to the Ambassador's assertion, written by Dick Dolmans, Secretary General of the European Solar-Shading Association.

Energy Commissioner reaffirms cornerstone importance of energy efficiency in energy policy
Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, opening the Vilnius Energy Security Conference, 11 October 2007, said:
“We are building up the legal framework to increase the efficiency of European energy demand. Energy saving is the quickest, cheapest and most direct way to tackle the energy challenges we face. Our energy efficiency action plan contains over 75 actions to deliver on our objectives, to reduce anticipated energy demand in 2020 by 20%. The benefits could be enormous, particularly in the new Member States.”
Speech in full

EU States slow on energy efficiency
Parliament's Committee on Industry has backed a report by MEP Fiona Hall, which charges that Commission and EU member states have largely failed to realise their own commitments to reduce energy consumption.

EuroACE address to stakeholder meeting on sustainable industrial policy
The meeting, specifically on DG Enterprise's action plan on sustainable industrial policy, is to be held on September 17 in Brussels.

EuroACE welcomes Germany's new initiatives
The German government is to make a "quantum leap" in energy efficiency in order to achieve a 40% cut in carbon emissions between 1990 and 2020, according to environment minister Sigmar Gabriel.

Energy taxation response 'excellent news' - Andrew Warren, EuroACE Senior Advisor
Letter to the Editor, EurActiv (published July 24 2007).

EuroACE perspective on sales tax at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Quote from EuroACE Senior Advisor Andrew Warren, speaking at the WBCSD's EU Forum on energy efficiency in buildings (5 July 2007).

Brown and Sarkozy discuss European initiative to lower taxes on energy-saving goods and services
Quote from UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, speaking at a joint press conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris (20 July 2007).

Paper presented by Rick Wilberforce (EuroACE/Pilkington) at GPD Conference in Finland
Rick Wilberforce presented his paper on 'EU policies for energy efficiency' at the Glass Processing Days conference in Tampere, Finland (15-18 June 2007).

Current status of National Energy Efficiency Action Plans
A table mirroring the European Commission's has been added to the EuroACE project page presenting our template proposal for the action plans.

EU Commission takes legal action against Greece, Estonia and Poland
On 27 June 2007, the EU Commission launched court proceedings against Greece for failure to notify its implementing measures on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive adopted in 2002.

Member States slow to submit National Energy Efficiency Action Plans
Finland, the United Kingdom and Denmark were the only Member States to submit plans by the June 30 deadline. See the full news item for more information and links.

'A Tale of Three Cities' - article by Andrew Warren
EuroACE's senior adviser writes in Energy in Buildings and Industry magazine on Europe's imperatives for energy efficiency.

G8 summit
Read the extracts from the summit declaration relevant to energy efficiency in buildings.

New Members
EuroACE welcomes new Members Gustavsberg AB and United Technologies!

New EuroACE introductory leaflet...
...providing a concise illustration of what we are all about. Please contact us if you would like hardcopies.

FIEC position on energy efficiency action plan
The European Construction Industry Federation, representing 33 national Member Federations for the construction and civil engineering industries in 28 countries (26 EU & EFTA, Croatia and Turkey), has published its position on the European Commission's Action Plan for Energy Efficiency.

United Nations publishes study on Buildings & Climate Change
Up to one fifth of Europe’s entire energy consumption could be cut, just by improving energy efficiency in its 170 million buildings, according to a new United Nations study. To achieve this will require the right mix of government regulation, financial incentives, behavioural change and increased installation of energy saving measures.

EuroACE proposal for National Energy Efficiency Action Plans
Under the Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive, EU Member States need to submit energy efficiency action plans to the European Commission in June this year. EuroACE, through a consultative process with national officials, have developed a flexible template proposal for these plans, focusing on the buildings sector. The full template report and the template as a standalone are available for download.

European Commission unveils its Action Plan on Energy Efficiency
The Commission describes its plans for "Saving 20% by 2020" through energy efficiency as a major step, in its press release for the launch of the European Energy White Paper.

European Energy White Paper published on January 10 2007
Preview Europe's energy policy one day before its publication.

The German Energy Model - Andrew Warren's Lead Letter in European Voice magazine
The German government has put in place the most effective programme designed to improve residential sector energy efficiency. As Germany takes the EU presidency it is surely a model it will wish to commend to every other European government.