As part of a major mid-term review of the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (EEAP) from 2006, the European Commission has launched an online consultation, with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of the Action Plan and looking at what sort of improvements can be made. In the context of this process, the Commission has drawn up a list  of 'priority  issues', which was published last week, for interested parties to consider when they make their comments. By clicking here, we invite you to offer your own contributions.
 
One of the issues the Commission raises is whether to make energy efficiency targets within the energy and climate change package legally binding, although as background documents to the consultation make clear, there does not seem to be a particular urgency to do so, with stakeholders simply being asked ‘whether it is the time now to move towards binding energy efficiency targets’.

The Commission also wants stakeholders to evaluate whether the proposed time-frame for making all buildings zero-energy for 2019 should be fixed. MEPs have proposed this date as a deadline, however national leaders are thought to oppose it.

Another sector which is to receive close scrutiny in terms of measures to improve energy efficiency, is the transport sector. So far rules limiting CO2 emissions from cars have already been set in stone, with further proposals for capping emissions in vans and other light commercial vehicles currently under consideration.

The consultation which will run till 3 August, will finally also look at how to promote and incentivise energy efficiency, and how financing will work more generally.

In parallel with this consultation, the EU executive is currently also concluding its assessment of national action plans, with the body expected to publish these outcomes either in July or September.