By HDK / Published on Mon, 2009-06-08 07:21
Motivated by, inter alia, the increasing energy prices, the security of energy supply and climate change, the new EU ”Action Plan for Energy Efficiency: Realising the Potential” (EEAP), sets out the policies and measures required to be implemented over the next six years to achieve the EU’s goal of reducing annual primary energy consumption by about 20 % by 2020. By increasing energy efficiency, the security of energy supply and the reduction of carbon emissions are also improved.
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By HDK / Published on Thu, 2009-06-04 08:33
The Action Plan on Energy Efficiency from the European Commission integrates into a single document a comprehensive list of actions to improve energy efficiency in the variety of energy-using sectors in Europe and beyond. Its immediate objective is to present an operational framework of policies and measures capable of realising the savings potential estimated at more than 20 % of annual primary energy consumption in Europe.
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By HDK / Published on Thu, 2009-05-28 09:39
Rob Kool and Renée Bruel, SenterNovem, The Netherlands
Energy efficiency is once more at the top of the policy agenda in the Netherlands. In fact the Dutch government wants to be one of the frontrunners of the EU in this field. Reasons for this renewed attention for energy efficiency are:
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Wed, 2008-12-24 10:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
The New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy is the government's action plan to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable sources of energy.
It seeks to promote sustainability as part of New Zealand's national identity, improve the quality of life for New Zealand families and drive economic transformation in business.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Mon, 2008-11-17 10:00
Year: 2008
Policy Status: In force
On 30 June, India released its first
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) outlining existing and future policies and programmes directed at climate change mitigation and adaptation. The plan outlines
eight "national missions" running up to 2017, and ministries are directed to submit detailed implementation plans to the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change by December 2008. The missions are wide ranging, targeting
energy efficiency and
renewable energy, as well as improved research capacity on climate change issues. Other missions target
water efficiency,
agriculture,
forestation, and
ecosystem conservation. Missions addressing energy efficiency are outlined below.
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
The plan estimates that current initiatives, based on the Energy Conservation Act of 2001, will yield 10 000 MW of savings by 2012. Building on this, the plan recommends mandating specific energy consumption decreases in large energy-using industries, including a system for companies to trade energy-savings certificates. It also highlights the use of incentives, including reduced taxes on energy-efficient appliances. Finally, it recommends financing for public-private partnerships for demand-side management (DSM) programmes that reduce energy consumption in the municipal, buildings and agricultural sectors.
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
The plan seeks to promote energy efficiency as an essential component of urban planning. It calls for extending the Energy Conservation Building Code, and emphasises urban waste management and recycling, including power production from waste. In the transport sector it calls for stronger enforcement of automotive fuel economy standards, using pricing measures to encourage the purchase of efficient vehicles, and providing incentives for the use of public transportation.
The various missions each have a lead ministry, responsible for developing objectives, implementing strategies, timelines, and monitoring and evaluation criteria to be submitted to the Prime Minister's Council for Climate Change. The Council will be responsible for undertaking periodic reviews and reporting on the missions' progress. Relevant indicators, allowing assessment of both avoided emissions and adaptation benefits, are also to be developed.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sun, 2008-09-14 09:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
The Slovak Republic’s Energy Efficiency Action Plan, pursuant to the Directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services, aims to achieve energy savings in individual sectors of consumption, amounting to 9% of the average annual national consumption from 2001-05.
Overall attainable energy savings amount to 37 215 TJ by 2016, with an intermediate target of attaining 3% of final energy consumption savings by 2010, amounting to approximately 12 405 TJ.
The Action Plan aims at forming the necessary legislative environment, establishment of an effective monitoring and information system, definition and implementation of low-cost organisational and technical measures, and financial support mechanisms. The latter includes the planned establishment of an Energy Efficiency Fund to provide grants supporting specific energy efficiency related activities.
The Action Plan categorises energy-saving measures according to various sectors.
Planned measures include:
- Buildings (non-industrial)
- Updating and improving building regulations and requirements for new and existing buildings
- Establishing building documentation package, with transparent information on audits and energy certification
- Improving energy efficiency and thermal properties of public sector buildings
- Improving monitoring and verification of building energy performance
- Introducing voluntary energy certificates/audits
- Investment support for refurbishment of prefabricated buildings
- Support for local utilisation of renewable sources for heat generation
- Appliances
- Implementation of the eco-design directive
- Providing information campaigns and consultancy services on energy-efficient appliances
- Replacing inefficient white goods
- Public Sector
- Improving public lighting, setting minimum efficiency requirements for public lighting
- Industry and Agriculture
- Funding energy audits as a basis for establishing energy saving targets in industry
- Promoting energy demand monitoring and management, innovation and technology transfers
- Improving efficiency in manufacturing process
- Promoting high efficiency cogeneration
- Transport
- Fleet replacement and modernisation in public passenger railway transport
- Modernisation of fleet to promote low-emission road vehicles
- Optimising traffic control, public transport, intelligent transport systems
- Modernising transport infrastructure
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Sat, 2008-09-06 09:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
In accordance with the requirements of the EC Directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services, Poland submitted its National Energy Efficiency Action Plan in June 2007.
The plan sets out an indicative target for energy savings of 9% in 2016 and an intermediate target of 2% in 2010. The proposed measures depend on market and budget financing and according to the principle of least cost.
In the residential sector, proposed measures include the introduction of an energy evaluation system for buildings, a and the promotion of rational energy consumption in residential buildings. Existing measures include the Thermo Modernisation Fund (1998-2016).
In the services sector, proposed measures include an increase in the proportion of energy saving products available, a programme of economic energy consumption in the public sector, promotion of energy services carried out by ESCO, and an Infrastructure and Environment Operations Programme and Regional Operations Programmes. Existing measures include a grant from the Global Environment Facility to support enterprises in the area of energy efficiency modernisation of buildings, district heating systems and networks (2005-2011). In the services sector, proposed measures include promotion of high efficiency cogeneration (CHP), a system of voluntary undertakings in industry, the deevelopment of an energy management system and an energy audit system for industry.
The measures in the transport sector concern the introduction of management systems for traffic and transport infrastructure and the promotion of sustainable transport systems and efficient use of fuel in the transport sector.
The plan also proposes a 'white certificate' system to stimulate energy saving actions together with an obligation placed on suppliers of electricity, heat or gas fuels to end users. Additionally, it provides for information campaigns and educational projects on energy efficiency and financial support for actions relating to the promotion of energy efficiency.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Tue, 2008-08-19 09:00
Year: 2008
Policy Status: In force
According to Article 14(2) of the European End-use efficiency and Energy Services Directive, Member States are to submit their first National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) to the Commission by June 30, 2007.
In their NEEAPs, Member States must show how they intend to reach the 9% indicative energy savings target by 2016.
Sweden elaborated its
NEEAP in 2008, describing the energy efficiency improvement measures aimed at achieving the savings targets set out in Article 4(1) of the Directive. The Plan also describes how Sweden will comply with the provisions on the exemplary role of the public sector and the provision of information and advice to final consumers.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Fri, 2008-07-25 09:00
Year: 2005
Policy Status: In force
Published in June 2005, the Energy Saving Action Plan establishes a framework for efficient energy conservation until 2013. As outlined in the plan, the Danish government aims for verifiable energy savings corresponding to an average of 7.5 PJ per year over the period 2006-2013.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Tue, 2008-06-24 00:00
Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force
On 12 June 2006, the UK government announced plans to become 'carbon neutral' by 2012 using a national action plan on sustainable procurement published the same day.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Tue, 2008-06-17 09:00
Year: 2005
Policy Status: In force
Part of the larger Austrian climate strategy, the klima:aktiv leben campaign has partnered with the nation's chimney sweepers to publicise energy efficiency measures in residences. In selecting the chimney sweepers as climate ambassadors, the Austrian government recognised the chimney sweepers' role as the first contact with ecological aspects of heating.
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By Angelo Baggini / Published on Wed, 2008-06-11 09:00
Year: 2007
Policy Status: In force
On behalf of the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) issued a national Energy Efficiency Action Plan in November 2007 following the 2006 EU Directive on energy services and energy end-use efficiency.
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