SAVE II, energy efficiency: multiannual programme 1998-2202

The Committee approved, subject to a number of amendments, the Commission proposals for Council decisions concerning the multi-annual programme (1998-2002): one for the promotion of energy efficiency (Rapporteur: Ms BLOCH VON BLOTTNITZ (V,D))(cooperation procedure, 1st reading; it should be noted that codecision will be applicable to both programmes after the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty). This proposal is part of the multi-annual framework programme for actions in the energy sector. The former is the continuation of the SAVE II programme adopted by the Council in December 1996 and aligns the period of application of the programme with those of the other energy programmes. According to the committee, the progress achieved under the SAVE programme in terms of improved energy efficiency is primarily due to Community legislative acts (directives). Therefore, one of the main points of the programme should be the drafting of Community legislation. The Committee disagrees with the Commission·s target of a further 1% annual improvement in energy intensity of final consumption, and proposes instead that SAVE II should aim at a 1.5% annual improvement. The committee proceeded to specify areas in which efforts should be concentrated, such as the introduction of an energy certificate for buildings, the insulation of new buildings, regular checks on boilers, the promotion of third-party funding of energy-saving investments, combined heat and power and, in particular, the elaboration of energy standards in transport. The Commission claims in its proposal that 180-200 million tonnes of CO2 emissions could be avoided by an improvement of 5% in the energy intensity of final demand. The Energy Committee believes that these figures could be increased by a shift towards renewable energy sources. �