In the Press

The European Commission has drawn up battle lines for the debate on 2030 climate and energy targets with a Green Paper that sidelines energy efficiency and signposts possible shifts to sectoral goals, regulatory measures and increased use of carbon market funds. Click here to read the full article

Without further guidance, EU countries may mismanage their energy efficiency commitments and risk missing their energy savings' target, says a report by the Buildings Performance Institute Europe.  Click here to read the full article

The European Parliament voted for an 80% cut in energy used by buildings today [14 March], a move that will require a massive ramping up of the EU’s renovation targets. Click here to read the full article

The 27 EU Commissioners are meeting in Brussels today (20 February) to consider early proposals for 2030 climate targets covering CO₂ emissions and possibly renewables. But the proposals aren't likely to extend to efficiency, despite EU data showing the continent is on track to miss its 2020 goals. Click here to read the full article

More than 70% of EU states could face court action over defiance of building efficiency measures which are slated to account for up to a quarter of the EU’s planned energy savings by 2020 [...] Click here to read the full article.

The chief economist of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has told EurActiv that energy savings are one of the “few valuable options” left for humankind to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as he expects no global climate agreement before 2020. Click here to read the full article

No new carbon dioxide emissions reductions targets for 2030 will be announced until after the next EU parliamentary elections in 2014, the EU’s top climate civil servant has said. Click here to read the full article on EurActiv

EU ministers yesterday (4 October) placed the last piece of the 20-20-20 climate puzzle, agreed in 2007, by throwing their weight behind the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive.  Click here to read the full article on EurActiv.com

Spanish hoteliers can now give their buildings an energy-efficient revamp with the help of an online tool calculating their needs, costs and investment returns.  Click here to read the full article on energyindemand.com

Ireland will have to double its efforts in making dwellings more energy-efficient or it will have to pay fines to the European Commission for not complying with the EU's newly adopted Energy Efficiency Directive, a new study shows. Click here to read the full article on EurActiv.com

France has decided to use the money generated by the Emissions Trading System for carbon dioxide to fund an ambitious energy-efficient renovation programme announced by President François Hollande. EurActiv.fr reports. Hollande recently announced he would stick to the promises made during is electoral campaign on the refurbishment of one million houses per year from the existing building stock.  Click here to read the full article on EurActiv.com

Energy firms face fines over obligations to vulnerable customers. Suppliers have until 31 December to meet commitments to make homes more efficient after data reveals failings, says Ofgem.  Click here to read the full article on energyindemand.com

Read the full article on energyindemand.com

Read the full article on energyindemand.com

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a loan agreement with the Languedoc-Roussillon Region to enable it to build and refurbish secondary schools to a high energy efficiency standard, meeting Europe 2020 environmental norms. Read the full article on energyindemand.com