End doublespeak on energy efficiency, EU states told

The European Commission's top energy official criticised EU member states in September 2011 for obstructing binding rules to promote energy efficiency, as part of efforts to meet the bloc's aspirational goal of a 20% cut in energy use by 2020.

In June 2011, EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger proposed rules obliging energy firms to cut energy sales by 1.5% each year, and requiring 3% of public buildings annually to be given an energy-efficient makeover.

Philip Lowe, the head of the Commission's directorate-general for energy, said the Commission made its proposal after EU governments refused to consider making the bloc's 20% energy efficiency target legally binding.

ESO: Background information: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC http://www.europeansources.info/record/proposal-for-a-directive-of-the-european-parliament-and-of-the-council-on-energy-efficiency-and-repealing-directives-2004-8-ec-and-2006-32-ec/

---