EU states slow on energy-efficiency, environment

In the area of energy-efficiency, member states had reaffirmed their commitment to submit national action plans before July, as requested under an EU directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services, but so far, only three states have done so: Denmark, Finland and the UK.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) lamented the missed deadline: “Cutting energy waste is the most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but most of the EU member states are falling at the first hurdle.”
Michelle O’Neill of EuroACE, an alliance of companies providing energy-efficient solutions for buildings commented: “Following the trend of non-implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings directive, EuroACE…is sorely disappointed that only three member states met the June deadline to submit a national energy efficiency action plan. It is important that governments lead by example and take energy efficiency very seriously.”

EurActiv