COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 06.05.19% 
COM(96) 195 final 
95/0131 (SYN) 
Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning a multi-annual programme for the promotion 
of energy efficiency in the Community SAVE II 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
The Commission presented on 31 May 1995 a proposal for a Council Decision 
concerning a multi-annual programme for the promotion of energy efficiency in the 
Community - SAVE II. 
The Parliament delivered its opinion on 16 April 1996. 
The Parliament's main concerns meet those of the Commission and from the 35 
proposed amendments the Commission accepted without reservation 5 (no 2,3,6,7 and 
8) and after reformulation 13 (no 1,11,12,13,14,15,19,22,28,29,32,33 and 34). 
Seventeen (17) amendments were not accepted by the Commission for the following 
reasons. 
Am. no 5,10 and 16 because the Commission can propose legislative measures at any 
time independent of the adoption of the SAVE programme. 
Am 17,18,20,21,23,24, and 25 because they concern activities out o( the scope of the 
programme or are included already in the Commission proposal 
Am 26 and 27 because the respect of the Treaties and balanced repartition of the 
budget is self-evident. 
Am 30 and 35 because they reduce the programme's flexibility. 
Am. 31 because the Commission believes in the complementarity between SAVE II 
and the national programmes. 
Am 4 because SAVE was evaluated as having contributed to the improvement of 
energy efficiency in the Community. 
Am 9 because is not relevant to this proposal. 
The Commission presents the attached modified proposal which takes into 
consideration 18 amendments adopted by the Parliament. 
Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning a multi-annual programme for the promotion of energy efficiency 
in the Community - SAVE II 
Initial Commission proposal 
COM (95) 225 final Amended text 
taking into account the amendments of the 
European Parliament, accepted by the Commission 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Union, and in particular Article 130s(l) 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission(1), 
In cooperation with the European Parliament^, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee(3), 
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of 
the Regions(4), < 
Whereas Article 130r of the Treaty states that one 
objective of the action of the Community relating to 
the environment shall be to ensure a prudent and 
rational utilization of natural resources; 
Whereas the Council of Environment and Energy 
Ministers at their meeting on 29 October 1990 set an 
objective of the stabilizing total C02 emissions by 
the year 2000 at the 1990 level in the Community as 
a whole; THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Union, and in particular Article 130s(I) 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission,(1) 
In cooperation with the European Parliament,(2) 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee,(3) 
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of 
the Regions,(4) 
Whereas Article 130r of the Treaty states that one 
objective of the action of the Community relating to 
the environment shall be to ensure a prudent and 
rational utilization of natural resources; 
Whereas the Council of Environment and Energy 
Ministers at their meeting on 29 October 1990 set an 
objective of the stabilizing total C02 emissions by 
the year 2000 at the 1990 level in the Community as 
a whole; 
(i) 
(2) 
0) 
(4) COM 225, 31.05.1995 
PE216 441, 25.03.1996 
CES 1450/95 
CdR 21/96 
initial text amended text 
Whereas Council Decision 93/389/EEC(5) established 
a monitoring mechanism for C02 emissions and 
other greenhouse gases; 
Whereas nonetheless, despite efforts made, the C02 
emissions in the Community generated by energy 
consumption are expected to increase by 5 to 8% 
between 1995 and 2000, assuming normal 
economical growth; 
Whereas the Commission in its communication of 8 
February 1990 on energy and the environment 
highlighted energy efficiency as the cornerstone of 
future efforts to reduce the negative impact of 
energy on the environment; 
Whereas the improvement in the management of 
energy will have a positive effect on the 
environment, the security of energy supply and 
sustainable development; 
Whereas the Commission has communicated to the 
Council by means of the Green Paper of 11 January 
1995 its views on the future of energy policy in the 
Community, and the role of energy-saving and 
energy efficiency measures; 
Whereas Article 130a of the Treaty provides that 
the Community should develop and pursue its 
actions leading to the strengthening of its economic 
and social cohesion, and that it should, in particular, 
reduce disparities between the various regions and 
the backwardness of the least- favoured regions; 
whereas energy should be integrated into that effort; Whereas Council Decision 93/389/EEC(5) established 
a monitoring mechanism for C02 emissions and other 
greenhouse gases; 
Whereas nonetheless, despite efforts made, the C02 
emissions in the Community generated by energy 
consumption are expected to increase by 5 to 8% 
between 1995 and 2000, assuming normal 
economical growth; whereas therefore additional 
measures at European level and at the level of the 
Member States are indispensable: 
Whereas the Commission in its communication of 8 
February 1990 on energy and the environment 
highlighted energy efficiency as the cornerstone of 
future efforts to reduce the negative impact of energy 
on the environment; 
Whereas the improvement in the management of 
energy is urgently needed in order to contribute to 
the protection of the environment to a better 
security of energy supply and to sustainable 
development; 
Whereas the Commission has communicated to the 
Council and the European Parliament by means of 
the Green Paper of 11 January 1995 and the White 
Paper of 13 December 1995 its views on the future 
of energy policy in the Community, and the role of 
energy-saving and energy efficiency measures; 
Whereas Article 130a of the Treaty provides that the 
Community should develop and pursue its actions 
leading to the strengthening of its economic and 
social cohesion, and that it should, in particular, 
reduce disparities between the various regions and 
the backwardness of the least- favoured regions; 
whereas energy should be integrated into that effort; 
(5) OJNoL 167, 9.7.1993, p. 31. 
initial text amended text 
Whereas by Council Decision 91/565/EEC(6) a 
Community energy efficiency programme (SAVE), 
aimed at strengthening energy efficiency 
infrastructures within the Community, was adopted; 
whereas that programme will expire on 31 
December 1995; 
Whereas the Community recognized the SAVE 
programme as an important element of the 
Community's C02 reduction strategy; whereas the 
communication of the Commission of 8 May 1991 
on the European Community's energy programming 
activities at regional level, the conclusion of the 
Energy Council on this communication, and the 
Resolution of the European Parliament of 16 July 
1993(7) stated that those actions should be pursued, 
amplified and utilized as a support to the energy 
strategy of the Community; whereas this initiative 
for regional actions should now be totally 
incorporated into a new SAVE II programme; 
Whereas by Decision No 1110/94/EC of the 
European Parliament and of the Council(8) a Fourth 
Framework Programme for actions in technological 
research, development and demonstration was 
established; whereas energy efficiency policy 
constitutes an important instrument for the use and 
promotion of the new energy technologies that the 
Framework Programme will establish; and whereas 
the SAVE II programme represents a policy 
instrument which complements this programme, Whereas by Council Decision 91/565/EEC(6) a 
Community energy efficiency programme (SAVE), 
aimed at strengthening energy efficiency 
infrastructures within the Community, was adopted; 
whereas that programme expired on 31 December 
1995; 
Whereas the Community recognized the SAVE 
programme as an important element of the 
Community's C02 reduction strategy; whereas the 
communication of the Commission of 8 May 1991 
on the European Community's energy programming 
activities at regional level, the conclusion of the 
Energy Council on this communication, and the 
Resolution of the European Parliament of 16 July 
1993(7) stated that those actions should be pursued, 
amplified and utilized as a support to the energy 
strategy of the Community; whereas this initiative for 
regional actions should now be totally incorporated 
into a new SAVE II programme; 
Whereas by Decision No 1110/94/EC of the 
European Parliament and of the Council(8) a Fourth 
Framework Programme for actions in technological 
research, development and demonstration was 
established; whereas energy efficiency policy 
constitutes an important instrument for the use and 
promotion of the new energy technologies that the 
Framework Programme will establish; and whereas 
the SAVE II programme represents a policy 
instrument which complements this programme, 
(6) 
(7) 
(8) OJNoL 307, 8.11.1991, p. 34. 
OJ No C 255, 20.9.1993, p. 252. 
OJNoL 126, 18.5.1994, p. 1. 
initial text amended text 
Whereas the Council of Environment Ministers at 
their meeting of 15 and 16 December 1994 stated 
that the target of stabilizing C02 emissions can only 
be achieved by a coordinated package of measures to 
improve energy efficiency and the rational use of 
energy which are based on supply and demand at all 
levels of energy production, conversion, transport and 
consumption and to exploit renewable energies, and 
that a local energy management programme could be 
one of these measures; 
Whereas improved energy efficiency will have a 
positive impact on both the environment and the 
security of energy supplies which are global in 
nature; whereas a high level of international 
cooperation is desirable to produce the most positive 
results; 
Whereas all the elements of the Community action 
programme for improving the efficiency of electricity 
use set out in Council Decision 89/364/EEC(9) should 
be incorporated into the SAVE II programme; 
whereas therefore that Decision should be repealed; Whereas the Council of Environment Ministers at 
their meeting of 15 and 16 December 1994 stated 
that the target of stabilizing C02 emissions can only 
be achieved by a coordinated package of measures to 
improve energy efficiency and the rational use of 
energy which are based on supply and demand at all 
levels of energy production, conversion, transport 
and consumption and to exploit renewable energies, 
and that local energy management programmes are 
amongst these measures; 
Whereas in its opinion on the Commission's Green 
Paper on energy policy (10). on 10 October 1995 the 
European Parliament called for the formulation of 
objectives and a common programme for energy 
efficiency and savings compatible with the objectiyes 
concerning the emission of greenhouse gases, as 
agreed in Rio de Janeiro (1992) and Berlin (1995); 
called for a SAVE II programme which is 
considerably better funded than SAVE I and 
demanded that the Commission clarify the role which 
it intends to play in energy savings and efficiency bv 
creating practical projects: 
Whereas improved energy efficiency will have a 
positive impact on both the environment and the 
security of energy supplies which are global in 
nature; whereas a high level of international 
cooperation is needed to produce the most positive 
results; 
Whereas all the elements of the Community action 
programme for improving the efficiency of electricity 
use set out in Council Decision 89/364/EEC(9) should 
be incorporated into the SAVE II programme; 
whereas therefore that Decision should be repealed; 
(9) OJ N° L 157, 9.6.1989 p. 32- 34 
(10) OJ N° C287, 30.10.1995, p. 34 
initial text amended text 
Whereas between 180 and 200 MT of C02 
emissions could be avoided by the year 2000 by an 
improvement of 5% in the energy intensity of final 
demand additional to the conventional expectations; 
Whereas a strengthened SAVE II programme is an 
important and necessary instrument for promoting 
increased energy efficiency; 
Whereas it is politically desirable to open the SAVE 
II programme to the associated Central and Eastern 
European Countries (CEECs) in accordance with the 
conclusions of the European Council meeting in 
Copenhagen in June 1994, and as outlined on the 
Commission communication to the Council on the 
subject in May 1994; 
Whereas, since the budget for the SAVE II 
programme is reserved only for participants from 
the Member States, the appropriations required for 
the participation of the associated CEECs in the 
programme will be made available from other 
Community resources, Whereas between 180 and 200 MT of C02 emissions 
could be avoided by the year 2000 by an 
improvement of 5% in the energy intensity of final 
demand additional to the conventional expectations; 
an Whereas a strengthened SAVE II programme is _. 
important and necessary instrument for promoting 
increased energy efficiency; 
Whereas in order to prevent duplication and to 
achieve synergy care should be taken in 
implementing the programme to ensure close 
coordination with other Community programmes 
linked directly with energy efficiency promotion; 
Whereas it is politically and economically desirable 
to open the SAVE II programme to the associated 
Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) in 
accordance with the conclusions of the European 
Council meeting in Copenhagen in June 1994, and as 
outlined in the Commission communication to the 
Council on the subject in May 1994, as well as the 
associated Mediterranean Countries Cyprus and 
Malta; 
Whereas, since the budget for the SAVE II 
programme is reserved only for participants from the 
Member States, the appropriations required for the 
participation of the associated CEECs and the 
associated Mediterranean Countries Cyprus and 
Malta in the programme will be made available in 
other ways, inter alia from other Community 
resources; 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
initial text amended text 
Article 1 
1. The Community shall support a five-year 
programme of measures and actions in order to 
promote energy efficiency within the Community. 
The general overall objectives of this programme are 
to stimulate energy efficiency measures and 
increased levels of investment for energy saving, 
and to contribute to improving the energy intensity 
of final demand by a further percentage point per 
annum over that which would have been otherwise 
attained. 
2. Community financing will be given under the 
"SAVE II programme to promote energy efficiency 
in the Community" hereafter referred to as "the 
programme", for actions which fall within the 
objectives of this Decision. 
Article 2 
Under the programme, the following categories of 
actions and measures on energy efficiency policy 
shall be financed: 
(a) studies and other actions leading to the 
implementation and completion of 
Community legislation and performance 
standards governing energy efficiency; Article 1 
1. The Community shall support a five-year 
programme for the preparation and implementation 
of measures and actions, also of normative character, 
in order to promote energy efficiency within the 
Community. The general overall objectives_of this 
programme are: 
a) to stimulate energy efficiency measures in all 
sectors, transport sector included. 
b) to encourage investments in energy conservation 
by private and public consumers and bv industry. 
c) to create the conditions for improving the energy 
intensity of final consumption by a further 
percentage point per annum over that which would 
have been otherwise attained. 
2. Community financing will be given under the 
"SAVE II programme to promote energy efficiency 
in the Community" hereafter referred to as "the 
programme", for actions which fall within the 
objectives of this Decision. 
Article 2 
Under the programme, the following categories of 
actions and measures on energy efficiency policy, 
which are described in Annex . shall be financed: 
(a) studies and other actions leading to the 
implementation and completion of Community 
energy efficiency legislation and performance 
standards governing energy efficiency; 
initial text amended text 
(b) sectoral pilot actions aimed at accelerating energy 
efficiency investment and/or improving consumer 
energy use patterns, to be carried out essentially 
by Community- wide networks; 
(c) targeted sectoral pilot actions aimed at 
accelerating energy efficiency investment and 
improving consumer energy use patterns, to be 
carried out essentially by public and private 
enterprises; 
(d) measures proposed by the Commission to foster 
the exchange of experience, mainly through 
information networks, aimed at promoting better 
coordination between Community, international, 
national, regional and local activities through the 
establishment of appropriate means for 
exchanging information; 
(e) measures proposed otherwise than by the 
Commission to foster the exchange of experience, 
mainly through information networks, aimed at 
promoting better coordination between 
Community, international, national, regional and 
local activities through the establishment of 
appropriate means for exchanging information; 
(f) an action relating to the detailed sectoral 
monitoring of energy efficiency progress in the 
Community, in individual Member States and 
including the programme itself; (b) sectoral pilot actions aimed at accelerating energy 
efficiency investment and/or improving consumer 
energy use patterns, to be carried out essentially 
by Community- wide networks; 
(c) targeted sectoral pilot actions aimed at 
accelerating energy efficiency investment and 
improving consumer energy use patterns, to be 
carried out essentially by public and private 
enterprises; 
(d) measures proposed by the Commission to foster 
the exchange of experience, mainly through 
information networks, aimed at promoting better 
coordination between Community, international, 
national, regional and local activities through the 
establishment of appropriate means for 
exchanging information; 
(e) measures proposed otherwise than by the 
Commission to foster the exchange of experience, 
mainly through information networks, aimed at 
promoting better coordination between 
Community, international, national, regional and 
local activities through the establishment of 
appropriate means for exchanging information; 
(f) an action relating to the detailed sectoral 
monitoring of energy efficiency progress in the 
Community, in individual Member States and 
including the programme itself; 
initial text amended text 
g) specific actions in favour of greater cohesion 
between Member States and regions in the 
field of energy efficiency through support for 
the creation of energy efficiency infrastructures 
in those Member States and regions where 
energy efficiency policies are not yet 
sufficiently developed; 
(h) specific actions in favour of energy 
management at the regional and urban level; 
(i) studies and other actions in support of energy 
efficiency initiatives within other programmes, 
with a view to establishing energy efficiency 
as a criterion within Community strategic 
programmes; 
(j) evaluation and monitoring of the actions and 
measures undertaken under points (a) to (i). 
Article 3 
1. All the costs relating to the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2(a), (d), (f), 
(i) and (j) shall be borne by the budget of the 
Community. 
2. The level of funding for the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2(b), (c), (e), 
(g) and (h) shall be set at a maximum of 50% 
of their total cost. 
3. The balance of the funding of the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2(b), (c), (e), 
(g) and (h) may be made up from either public 
or private sources or from a combination of the 
two. (g) specific actions in favour of greater cohesion 
between Member States and regions in the 
field of energy efficiency through support for 
the creation of energy efficiency infrastructures 
in those Member States and regions where 
energy efficiency policies are not yet 
sufficiently developed; 
(h) specific actions in favour of energy 
management at the regional and urban level; 
(i) studies and other actions in support of energy 
efficiency initiatives within other programmes, 
with a view to establishing energy efficiency 
as a criterion within Community strategic 
programmes and taking account of the 
environmental impact of the different energy 
sources.; 
(j) evaluation and monitoring of the actions and 
measures undertaken under points(a) to (i). 
Article 3 
1. All the costs relating to the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2(a), (d), (f), 
(i) and (j) shall be borne by the budget of the 
Community. 
2. The level of funding for the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2(b), (c), (e), 
(g) and (h) shall be set at a maximum of 50% 
of their total cost. 
3. The balance of the funding of the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2(b), (c), (e), 
(g) and (h) may be made up from either public 
or private sources or from a combination of the 
two. 
initial text amended text 
Article 4 
1. The Commission will be responsible for the 
financial execution and implementation of the 
programme at Community level. 
2. The conditions and guidelines to be applied 
for the support of all actions and measures 
referred to in Article 2 shall be defined each 
year in accordance with cost effectiveness 
criteria, the list of priorities referred to in the 
second paragraph of Article 6, the trends in 
energy efficiency identified by the action 
described in Article 2(f) and according to the 
procedure laid down in Article 5. 
Article 5 
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee 
of an advisory character composed of the 
representatives of the Member States and chaired 
by the representative of the Commission. 
The representative of the Commission shall submit 
to the committee a draft of the measures to be 
taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on 
the draft within a time-limit which the chairman 
may lay down according to the urgency of the 
matter, if necessary by taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in 
addition, each Member State shall have the right to 
have its position recorded in the minutes. Article 4 
1. The Commission will be responsible for the 
financial execution and implementation of the 
programme at Community level. 
2. The conditions and guidelines to be applied for 
the support of all actions and measures referred 
to in Article 2 shall be defined each year 
taking into account : 
the cost effectiveness criteria, the savings 
potential and environment impact. 
the list of priorities referred to in the second 
paragraph of Article 6, 
the objectives of cohesion between Member 
States in the field of energy efficiency and 
the trends in energy efficiency development 
indentified by the action described in Article 
2(f). 
The committee described in Article 5. assists 
the Commission in defining these conditions 
and guidelines. 
Article 5 
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee 
of an advisory character composed of the 
representatives of the Member States and chaired by 
the representative of the Commission. 
The representative of the Commission shall submit 
to the committee a draft of the measures to be 
taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on 
the draft within a time-limit which the chairman 
may lay down according to the urgency of the 
matter, if necessary by taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in 
addition, each Member State shall have the right to 
have its position recorded in the minutes. 
initial text amended version 
The Commission shall take the utmost account of 
the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall 
inform the committee of the manner in which its 
opinion has been taken into account. 
Article 6 
The Member States shall report to the Commission 
annually on national energy efficiency programmes 
with a view to assisting the Commission in 
formulating appropriate flanking measures. 
The Commission shall formulate on an annual 
basis a list of priorities for funding under the 
programme which shall reflect an examination of 
the reports submitted under the first paragraph. 
This list shall take into account the 
complementarity between SAVE II programme and 
the national programmes. Priority shall be given to 
those areas where such complementarity 
is greatest. 
Article 7 The Commission shall take the utmost account of 
the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall 
inform the committee of the manner in which its 
opinion has been taken into account. 
Article 6 
The Member States shall report to the Commission 
annually on national energy efficiency programmes 
with a view to assisting the Commission in 
formulating appropriate flanking measures. 
The Commission shall formulate on an annual 
basis a list of priorities for funding under the 
programme which shall reflect an examination of 
the reports submitted under the first paragraph. 
This list shall take into account the 
complementarity between SAVE II programme and 
the national programmes. Priority shall be given to 
those areas where such complementarity 
is greatest. 
Article 7 
L. After every year of the programme the 
Commission presents to the European 
Parliament and to the Council a progress 
report together with proposals concerning the 
modifications of the guidelines, adopted 
according to Article 4. paragraph 2. which 
may be necessary in the light of the results of 
the previous year. 
10 
initial text amended text 
1. After the third year of the programme, the 
Commission shall present a report to the 
European Parliament and to the Council on the 
energy efficiency measures undertaken at 
Community and Member State level and on the 
results achieved, with particular reference to 
the objective outlined under Article 1. The 
report shall be accompanied by proposals for 
any amendments which may be necessary to 
the programme in the light of these results. 
2. On expiry of the programme, the Commission 
shall make an overall assessment of the results 
obtained through the application of this 
Decision, and of the consistency of national 
and Community actions. It shall present a 
report thereon to the European Parliament, the 
Council, the Economic and Social Committee 
and the Committee of the Regions, stating, in 
particular, how far the objective outlined under 
Article 1 has been achieved. 
Article 8 
Decision 89/364/EEC is hereby repealed. 2,. After the third year of the programme, the 
Commission shall present a report to the 
European Parliament and to the Council on the 
energy efficiency measures undertaken at 
Community and Member State level and on the 
results achieved, with particular reference to 
the objectivesLputlined under Article 1. The 
report shall be accompanied by proposals for 
any amendments which may be necessary to 
the programme in the light of these results. 
3^ On expiry of the programme, the Commission 
shall make an overall assessment of the results 
obtained through the application of this 
Decision, and of the consistency of national 
and Community actions. It shall present a 
report thereon to the European Parliament, the 
Council, the Economic and Social Committee 
and the Committee of the Regions, stating, in 
particular, how far the objectives outlined 
under Article 1 have been achieved. 
Article 8 
Decision 89/364/EEC is hereby repealed. 
11 
initial text amended vereion 
Article 9 
The programme shall be open to the associated 
Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) 
in accordance with the conditions contained in the 
additional protocols to the association agreements 
concerning their participation in Community 
programmes. 
Article 10 
This Decision shall apply from 1 January 1996 to 
31 December 2000. 
Article 11 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Article 9 
The programme shall be open to the associated 
Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) 
in accordance with the conditions, including 
financial arrangements, contained in the additional 
protocols to the association agreements concerning 
their participation in Community programmes. 
The programme shall also be open to the 
participation of the associated Mediterranean 
Countries Cyprus and Malta on the basis of 
additional appropriations in accordance with the 
same rules as apply to the EFTA Countries. 
Article 10 
This Decision shall apply from 1 January 1996 to 
31 December 2000. 
Article 11 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
The President 
Encl. 
12 
initia] text amended text 
Annex 
Description of the actions listed in Article 2. 
Article 2(a): 
These shall include, in particular, studies concerning the 
introduction of EC measures in the following areas: 
- building energy certification. 
- insulation for new buildings. 
- the promotion of third-partv funding 
of energy-saving investments. 
- regular checks on boilers. 
- minimum standards for electrically-
operated office machinery (in 
particular computers/monitors) and 
household appliances. 
co generation. 
minimum standards for motor 
vehicles. 
Furthermore, plans will be drawn up. inter alia, for 
assessing the effects of EC energy legislation and other 
measures, for the commissioning of CEN/CENELEC in 
respect of standards for energy consumption applications 
and for studies for the development of voluntary 
agreements on energy efficiency objectives and the 
monitoring thereof and involvement in internationally 
coordinated activities. 
13 
initial text amended text 
Article 2(b): 
These concern in particular ad hoc actions through 
closer cooperation between the kev players bv means of 
Communitv-wide networks; for example, projects by 
associations in the building sector (for instance, 
associations of architects), bv undertakings /associations 
in the electricity and/or gas sectors (for example. 
integrated resource planning) and bv municipal 
associations (for example, projects to increase energy 
efficiency in urban transport). 
Article 2(c): 
This is particularly aimed at promoting projects 
addressing the relevant problems on the basis of one 
particular theme, for example obstacles to cogeneration 
or problems involving municipal transport systems. 
Furthermore, projects concerned with electricity 
consumption and the development and more 
widespread use of new financial mechanisms and 
training and education could be promoted in this 
context-
Article 2(d) and (e): 
As regards the dissemination of information via 
networks, specific groups and addressees, or consumers 
in general, should be reached bv all the available media 
(publications, videos, workshops, conferences and 
seminars and databases). 
Article 2(f): 
A group of experts should be set up in this context to 
monitor the utilization of the instruments developed 
under SAVE I and to assess progress as regards energy 
efficiency. 
14 
initial text amended text 
Article 2(g): 
This action is designed to promote ties between the 
various Member States or the regions of various 
Member States with a view to exchanging information. 
Furthermore, the requisite sources of information 
(including databases) should be established to al 1 ow 
access to information via local initiatives. Finalj v^ 
regional centres of excellence should be set up to act_as 
centres for local energy management research and 
training activities and to contribute to the development 
of solutions as regards the use of regional sources of 
energy. 
Article 2(h): 
This concerns actions to complement the actions listed 
under Article 2(g). the emphasis being on the 
establishment of regional and local energy management 
agencies. These could play a major role for example. 
in the establishment of educational programmes for end 
users or in the development of local energy 
management initiatives-
Article 2(i): 
The purpose here is. bv using SAVE as a catalyst in 
other Community programmes such as the European 
Regional Development Fund, to identify potential 
energy efficiency projects which can be supported by 
these programmes-
Article 2(j): 
It is important that all the actions taken under SAVE 
should be fully evaluated and that the contribution of 
each action to the improvement of energy efficiency 
should be continually assessed. Projects with a high 
dissemination potential should be identified and 
transmitted to the promotional activities of the 
programme so that comprehensive dissemination 
strategies can be developed. 
15 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 195 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 12 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-204-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-03516-5 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
4