While the perspectives of the EU 2020 targets for reduction of greenhouse gases and increase in renewable energy are promising, those for Energy Efficiency (EE) remain a challenge for most EU regions. Concerned by this prerogative, the EC Directive on EE establishes a common framework of measures for the promotion of EE and aims to remove barriers in the energy market. Moreover, it seeks to overcome market failures that impede efficiency in the supply and use of energy, and provides for the establishment of indicative national targets for 2020.

Welcoming a representative of DG Energy at a working group session on 24 June, AER members enquired about the implications and opportunities for regions of the transposition of this EU legislation: the renovation of public buildings, the development of the market through taxation and legislation incentives or raising awareness amongst citizens are examples of where regions can act to boost their energy saving objectives.