Community energy policy: strengthening environmental integration

PURPOSE : This Communication puts forward various measures in order to strengthen the integration of environmental objectives within Community Energy Policy. The progress made to date will be examined at the Vienna Summit. CONTENT : the European Commission has committed itself to integrate the environmental dimension within energy policy and to promote the development of sustainable energy measures. It undertakes to strengthen its own contribution and invites the Council and the Parliament to endorse or adopt a number of key proposals in the energy field. As the Member States have the primary responsibility for energy policy, they need to integrate the environmental dimension into energy policy, including at local and regional level. Co-operation between Member States at Community level will enhance the effectiveness of policy actions. The Community has a complementary role in facilitating co-operation between Member States and in ensuring coherent and cost-effective action at Community level. When integrating the environmental dimension into energy policy, a balanced and flexible approach is necessary, making the link between environmental considerations and their economic and social effects. It is particularly important to take into account the other energy policy priority objectives of security of supply and competitiveness in promoting sustainability. In order to achieve these objectives, the Commission proposes action in the following fields : 1) Facilitating co-operation between Member States and relevant parties 2) Strengthening specific energy policy actions 3) Ensuring closer co-ordination with other Community policy measures in the field of energy 4) Developing the energy policy response to climate change 5) Developing the external dimension of energy policy 6) Monitoring and indicators.�