Press Release: The European Commission adopts its action plan to improve energy efficiency in the EU

The European Commission has adopted an action plan which intends to renew a commitment both at European Union (EU) and Member State level to promote energy efficiency more actively. The need for this is especially true when seen in the light of the Kyoto agreement to reduce CO2 emissions, where improved energy efficiency will play a key role.

Three groups of mechanisms for improving energy efficiency are put forward:
1. Measures to enhance the integration of energy efficiency into other Community non-energy policy and programme areas
2. Horizontal strengthening measures for re-focusing and reinforcing existing successful Community energy-efficiency measures
3. New common and co-ordinated policies and measures