Energy efficiency
Overview 
The EU is working to improve energy efficiency in all sectors whilst increasing the use of renewable energies, with the objectives of solving environmental challenges, reaching self-sufficiency, and tackling cost problems while adequately providing for increasing energy demand without major upheavals.
The EU has already adopted a series of measures to increase energy savings:- 2002: directive on the energy performance of buildings (2002/91/EC)
- 2004: directive promoting the combined generation of heat and electricity (2004/8/EC)
- 2005: Eco-design directive to increase energy savings from domestic appliances (fridges, hairdryers, etc.) (2005/32/EC)
- 2006: Directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services (2006/32/EC)
- other EU measures include: energy-efficiency requirements for boilers and refrigerators; labelling requirements for ovens, refrigerators, air-conditioners; Labelling for office equipment (Energy Star); Directive on taxation of energy products and electricity.
In June 2005, the Commission opened a wide-ranging debate with a Green Paper on Energy Efficiency that placed energy savings at the centre of the EU's ambitions to boost competitiveness and jobs - the Lisbon strategy. According to the policy paper, the EU could save at least 20% of its present energy consumption in a cost-effective manner, equivalent to EUR 60 billion per year, or the present combined energy consumption of Germany and Finland.
A number of voluntary instruments were also adopted to foster better cooperation with industry.The Commission has also started several initiatives that aim at promoting energy efficiency and serve as a forum for exchange of ideas of various stakeholders.
Released in 2008, Energy Efficiency an area of focus in the five-point EU Energy Security and Solidarity Action Plan . The plan includes:
- a revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) (scope, implementation and further development) which was conducted in 2010.
- a revision of the Energy Labelling Directive (extend scope, promote public procurement) which was conducted in 2010
- an intesification of implementation of the Ecodesign directive
- promotion of Cogeneration
- development of benchmarking and networking mechanisms
- presentation of a Green Tax Package as a complement to the Energy and Climate Change Package
The Energy Efficiency package adopted by the European Parliement in late 2009 includes:
All buildings built from the end of 2020 onwards must have high energy-saving standards and utilise renewable energy.
Recast of The Directive on energy performance of buildings (2002/91/EC) was adopted in 2010, with the aim to strengthen the energy performance requirements.
This directive relates to the energy efficiency labeling for domestic appliances, with guidelines on the classes and different types.
From November 2012 all new tyres on sale in the EU will be classified and labelled for fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise performance.
The European Parliament has also started working on the Commission's proposal on legislation to limit the CO2 emissions from light commercial vehicles.
