Although the importance of energy efficiency is recognized widely, much effort is required in order to actually widespread energy efficient solutions. Mechanisms, policies and directives have been introduced or issued in order to reinforce energy efficiency. Some of the most important are the following:
Energy Labels
Up to few years ago most buyers didn’t get the chance to know how much energy is consumed by an
appliance they intended to buy. In an effort to influence their choice,
an energy labelling scheme has been adopted by the European Commission
on a product by product basis1. They display ranking of products
according to their energy efficiency consumption on an A (most energy
efficient) to G scale. Recently, new classes were added (A+/A++/A+++) on top of class A to reflect advances in efficient products. All appliances in the EU market should posses an appropriate energy label, which in addition should be clearly displayed on them at the point of sale.
Building Energy Efficiency
We cannot improve significantly energy efficiency if we don’t target
buildings. In fact, buildings are responsible for almost 40% of the
energy use and for 36% of the CO2 emissions in the EU 27. This fact led
to the adoption of an energy classification of buildings, just like
appliances! This works the same way with energy labels for appliances
and is called Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The EPC is mandatory
for all buildings being rented, sold or advertised, while new buildings
(or old ones undergoing major renovations) should comply with minimum
energy performance requirements. Furthermore, from 2020 all new
buildings in the EU should be “nearly zero-energy buildings”!
Ecolabels
Apart from being energy efficient, a product or service cannot be considered environment-friendly without looking throughout all its life-cycle. The EU has invented the Ecolabel scheme in order to help consumers identify such products or services. The Ecolabel is a voluntary scheme, identified by the flower logo, which may be displayed on products and promotional material if they respond to a list of predefined criteria. These criteria guarantee that the product/service is among the most environmentally friendly in his sector.
Ecodesign
Another tool towards improved energy efficiency is the Ecodesign requirements. A relative directive made it mandatory for every product circulated in the EU market to meet minimum requirements in terms of their environmental impact. These requirements assess the impact of an energy-related product on the environment throughout its life-cycle (from the design stage, production, distribution and disposal).
Another tool towards improved energy efficiency is the Ecodesign requirements. A relative directive made it mandatory for every product circulated in the EU market to meet minimum requirements in terms of their environmental impact. These requirements assess the impact of an energy-related product on the environment throughout its life-cycle (from the design stage, production, distribution and disposal).
Transport Energy Efficiency
Transport has been identified as one of the areas in which significant energy savings can be achieved. Almost 20% of the energy consumed in the EU is due to transport, out of which 98% originates from fossil fuels. On this track, the EU requires that energy and environmental impacts (i.e. energy consumption, CO2 emissions etc) linked to the operation of vehicles over their whole lifetime should be taken into consideration in purchase decisions. Over the years, it has been identified as a major EU target to reach an average CO2 emission of 120 g/km for all new passenger cars. However, this is to be achieved through voluntary agreements with manufacturers so far. For the moment, it is compulsory that a label showing fuel economy and CO2 emissions is attached to all new cars or displayed nearby at the point of sale.
Transport has been identified as one of the areas in which significant energy savings can be achieved. Almost 20% of the energy consumed in the EU is due to transport, out of which 98% originates from fossil fuels. On this track, the EU requires that energy and environmental impacts (i.e. energy consumption, CO2 emissions etc) linked to the operation of vehicles over their whole lifetime should be taken into consideration in purchase decisions. Over the years, it has been identified as a major EU target to reach an average CO2 emission of 120 g/km for all new passenger cars. However, this is to be achieved through voluntary agreements with manufacturers so far. For the moment, it is compulsory that a label showing fuel economy and CO2 emissions is attached to all new cars or displayed nearby at the point of sale.
