The European Union (EU) is considering proposals for a directive on energy use in buildings in order to help meet sustainable energy use goals. The European Commissioner for Environment, Margo Wallstrom, recently emphasized the importance of using energy efficiently to meet these goals. She highlighted the building sector, which accounts for over 40% of EU energy consumption. Wallstrom emphasized the “huge potential for energy saving and emission reduction” through more efficient insulation, electric motors, lighting, and materials. With normal rates of renovation of existing buildings and an increasing share of best available technology, she estimated a potential of 22% energy savings by 2010, which could be increased with accelerated renovations. The full cost energy efficiency potential in the EU is estimated at 20% of total current energy consumption.
The EU’s new environment action program calls for global greenhouse gas emissions to be cut by 20% to 40% by 2020. This cut is larger than the Kyoto targets but still less than the 70% that scientists say greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced by in the longer term in order to halt climate change. According to the Commissioner, dependence on the non-renewable resource of fossil fuel, as well as on nuclear energy, must be questioned in order to reach the goal of sustainable development.
Based on a report from i-FM
