Environment

EU Industries Warned, Improve Energy Efficiency or Else

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/apr2000/2000L-04-28-01.html

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BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 28, 2000 (ENS) - A wide range of industries should prepare to negotiate European Union or national level voluntary agreements for improved energy efficiency, the European Commission said Wednesday in a new energy efficiency action plan.

The Commission, the executive branch of the European Union (EU), threatened mandatory efficiency standards for industries that do not cooperate.

By massively expanding the use of voluntary agreements with industry, the plan seeks to cut EU energy intensity by 12 percent over the next decade.

If achieved, this would meet two-fifths of the European Union's Kyoto Protocol commitment to cut greenhouse gases by eight percent in the period 2008 to 2012.

The use of voluntary agreements rather than legislation to improve energy efficiency has been pursued by several member states, most notably the Netherlands.

There have also been some EU-level deals, most notably a 1998 agreement with car makers to reduce average carbon dioxide emissions of new cars by one-third by 2005.

The Commission now says that voluntary agreements on energy and pollution must expand around the 15 nation European Union.

[Caption: Chemical works, Wilton, Teeside, England (Photo by Ian Britton courtesy Freefoto.com)]

In the plan, the Commission says it will play an increased "supporting and coordinating role" in the process of concluding agreements for industries, and will publish guidelines this year to create an EU wide "level playing field." New regional funding rules will be put in place to encourage energy efficiency.

The Commission says it expects the chemical industry to sign an EU level energy efficiency agreement later this year, while by 2002 the pulp and paper, steel, textile, cement and energy supply industries should sign similar deals. It does not say whether these will be at EU or national level.

Steel firms have already refused to contemplate an EU wide initiative, saying it would be unworkable.

Similar measures are proposed for appliance manufacturers. The Commission says a "large number" of deals should be reached for commercial and industrial equipment, having already signed two agreements to reduce energy use in household equipment. A household appliance energy efficiency labelling scheme already in operation will be expanded and reinforced.

Previous plans to introduce a law on procurement of energy efficiency equipment have been changed in favour of a voluntary approach.

A new framework directive will "facilitate the adoption of mandatory minimum efficiency standards - should it prove necessary," the Commission says.

The action plan is a key part of the EU's climate change strategy announced early in March.

The Commission says the measures should enable a reduction in energy intensity by one percent beyond "business as usual" scenarios each year for 10 years. This would achieve 40 percent of the EU's commitment to cut greenhouse gases eight percent from 1990 levels by the five year period 2008 to 2012.

{Published in cooperation with ENDS Environment Daily, Europe's choice for environmental news. Environmental Data Services Ltd, London. Email: envdaily@ends.co.uk}

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2000

Answers

European Union web-site...

http://www.europa.eu.int/

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2000