natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Improvements in energy efficiency bring a decrease in the positive correlation between energy consumption and economic output (i.e. a GDP growth of 5% does not necessarily entail an equivalent growth in energy consumption).
Improvements in energy efficiency bring a decrease in the positive correlation between energy consumption and economic output (i.e. a GDP growth of 5% does not necessarily entail an equivalent growth in energy consumption).
Furthermore, energy efficiency is not always accompanied by economic efficiency.
Furthermore, energy efficiency is not always accompanied by economic efficiency.
Indeed, sometimes increasing energy efficiency might not be economically wise because energy efficiency measures should be cost-effective.
Indeed, sometimes increasing energy efficiency might not be economically wise because energy efficiency measures should be cost-effective.
It is therefore essential to find the level were energy and economic efficiency levels are maximised (see Annex II).
It is therefore essential to find the level were energy and economic efficiency levels are maximised (see Annex II).
The potential in efficiency in the building sector, as it has been shown in recent studies such as the ECOFYS one endorsed by the Commission, is very important and must be taken into consideration.
The potential in efficiency in the building sector, as it has been shown in recent studies such as the ECOFYS one endorsed by the Commission, is very important and must be taken into consideration.
The ECOFYS study illustrates clearly the impact on efficiency and subsequent savings if Directive 2002/91/EC were to be revised and the threshold of 1000m2 were reduced in order to include newly built residential buildings.
The ECOFYS study illustrates clearly the impact on efficiency and subsequent savings if Directive 2002/91/EC were to be revised and the threshold of 1000m2 were reduced in order to include newly built residential buildings.
Short and medium term financial and employment benefits are at hand in a cost-efficient manner.
Short and medium term financial and employment benefits are at hand in a cost-efficient manner.
Regarding the renovation of existing infrastructures, the rapporteur welcomes the highlight of Energy Saving Contracts (ESCOs) in the Green Paper.
Regarding the renovation of existing infrastructures, the rapporteur welcomes the highlight of Energy Saving Contracts (ESCOs) in the Green Paper.
This type of contracting consists of an agreement with an energy service company which will carry out necessary improvements in an existing building in order to guarantee a percentage of savings in the energy bill.
This type of contracting consists of an agreement with an energy service company which will carry out necessary improvements in an existing building in order to guarantee a percentage of savings in the energy bill.
The contract will be paid out with the money saved from the reduced consumption.
The contract will be paid out with the money saved from the reduced consumption.
After that, the customer will enjoy a reduced energy bill.
After that, the customer will enjoy a reduced energy bill.
This comes to show that there are solutions that require no additional funding.
This comes to show that there are solutions that require no additional funding.
Additionally, other measures could be taken in smaller scale renovations such the installation of the so-called "smart meters" that allow consumers to have real-time figures of their real consumption or gas boilers "top boxes" that can lead to a reduction in emissions and costs of producing hot water of up to 40%.
Additionally, other measures could be taken in smaller scale renovations such the installation of the so-called "smart meters" that allow consumers to have real-time figures of their real consumption or gas boilers "top boxes" that can lead to a reduction in emissions and costs of producing hot water of up to 40%.
The rapporteur welcomes the CARS21 initiative by the Commission which aims to improve legislation, competitiveness, respect of the environment and road safety in the transport sector.
The rapporteur welcomes the CARS21 initiative by the Commission which aims to improve legislation, competitiveness, respect of the environment and road safety in the transport sector.
The integrated approach to the transport efficiency issues used in the report is essential to fully appreciate the areas where most improvements can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.
The integrated approach to the transport efficiency issues used in the report is essential to fully appreciate the areas where most improvements can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.
The rapporteur believes that specific measures should be taken at each level: fuel production, vehicles manufacturing and driving habits.
The rapporteur believes that specific measures should be taken at each level: fuel production, vehicles manufacturing and driving habits.
Moreover, the rapporteur thinks it would be interesting to have a clear market picture to understand why some efficient and cleaner technologies are being successfully marketed abroad while there is little market penetration within the EU.
Moreover, the rapporteur thinks it would be interesting to have a clear market picture to understand why some efficient and cleaner technologies are being successfully marketed abroad while there is little market penetration within the EU.
Research and development
Research and development
The rapporteur hopes that the negotiations on the Financial Perspectives (2007-2013) will culminate in a substantial increase in European funds for Research and Development without which the EU will continue to lag behind in comparison with the USA and Japan in areas such long term clean transport prospects, including the use of hydrogen fuel cells.
The rapporteur hopes that the negotiations on the Financial Perspectives (2007-2013) will culminate in a substantial increase in European funds for Research and Development without which the EU will continue to lag behind in comparison with the USA and Japan in areas such long term clean transport prospects, including the use of hydrogen fuel cells.
While understanding the physical limitations to large scale marketing of such vehicles (lack of infrastructures, cost-effectiveness, etc.) it is hard to understand why by 2010 Canada is likely to have finished its own "hydrogen highway" between Vancouver and Whistler and the European Union has not a similar project in sight.
While understanding the physical limitations to large scale marketing of such vehicles (lack of infrastructures, cost-effectiveness, etc.) it is hard to understand why by 2010 Canada is likely to have finished its own "hydrogen highway" between Vancouver and Whistler and the European Union has not a similar project in sight.
Furthermore, the State of California has launched "Vision 2010" that has the main objective of giving access to every citizen in California access to hydrogen fuel along the state highways.
Furthermore, the State of California has launched "Vision 2010" that has the main objective of giving access to every citizen in California access to hydrogen fuel along the state highways.
This project will include the construction of 150 to 200 hydrogen stations spaced out a maximum of every 30 kilometres.
This project will include the construction of 150 to 200 hydrogen stations spaced out a maximum of every 30 kilometres.
These initiatives are a clear example of successful public-private partnership as well as the materialisation of truly ambitious commitments.
These initiatives are a clear example of successful public-private partnership as well as the materialisation of truly ambitious commitments.
R&D in cleaner fuels is also important, especially in the short term.
R&D in cleaner fuels is also important, especially in the short term.
Second generation bio-fuels will be available soon and efforts should be made to quickly develop the necessary technological adjustments that would allow them to be used.
Second generation bio-fuels will be available soon and efforts should be made to quickly develop the necessary technological adjustments that would allow them to be used.
Further research should be done in the viability of trigeneration that provides cooling, heating and power.
Further research should be done in the viability of trigeneration that provides cooling, heating and power.
If this technology proved to be efficient, it could be a possible solution to for those countries that have extreme climate conditions and for which cogeneration covers only part of the problem.
If this technology proved to be efficient, it could be a possible solution to for those countries that have extreme climate conditions and for which cogeneration covers only part of the problem.
Carbon capture should remain a priority in research as its application and results are only foreseen to happen in the next 20 or 30 years.
Carbon capture should remain a priority in research as its application and results are only foreseen to happen in the next 20 or 30 years.
Another sector in which targeted improvements could be achieved is the electric appliances (such as refrigerators, ovens, etc.) sector.
Another sector in which targeted improvements could be achieved is the electric appliances (such as refrigerators, ovens, etc.) sector.
The Commission's suggestion to tackle the problem of energy consumption during "stand-by" mode could be one of these improvements However, the rapporteur notes that this sector is already a world leader because of the efforts and investments realised in efficiency improvements.
The Commission's suggestion to tackle the problem of energy consumption during "stand-by" mode could be one of these improvements However, the rapporteur notes that this sector is already a world leader because of the efforts and investments realised in efficiency improvements.
There is still a long way to go mostly in consumers' behaviour in the sense that they would rather hold on to appliances that do not meet today's standards than invest in new efficient ones.
There is still a long way to go mostly in consumers' behaviour in the sense that they would rather hold on to appliances that do not meet today's standards than invest in new efficient ones.
An effort could therefore be made in making the purchase of "A" class appliances (those consuming less energy) more attractive to consumers through, for example, tax credits at a Member State level or by reducing VAT at EU level.
An effort could therefore be made in making the purchase of "A" class appliances (those consuming less energy) more attractive to consumers through, for example, tax credits at a Member State level or by reducing VAT at EU level.
The rapporteur welcomes initiatives such as the EU Cogeneration Directive (2004/8/EC) which promotes high-efficiency cogeneration in industrial, district-heating and individual-building applications.
The rapporteur welcomes initiatives such as the EU Cogeneration Directive (2004/8/EC) which promotes high-efficiency cogeneration in industrial, district-heating and individual-building applications.
Cogeneration is a powerful technology to convert fuels in the most efficient way into electricity and useful heat, helping to meet energy demand with reduced primary energy consumption and less CO 2 emissions in Europe, when compared to traditional methods of producing electricity and thermal heat / steam separately.
Cogeneration is a powerful technology to convert fuels in the most efficient way into electricity and useful heat, helping to meet energy demand with reduced primary energy consumption and less CO 2 emissions in Europe, when compared to traditional methods of producing electricity and thermal heat / steam separately.
It is very important that the proper promotion of cogeneration is reflected in the way that the Directive develops and moves towards implementation in February 2006.
It is very important that the proper promotion of cogeneration is reflected in the way that the Directive develops and moves towards implementation in February 2006.
The rapporteur believes that the EU Commission should foster a regulatory environment that supports and encourages the full potential of industrial cogeneration installations.
The rapporteur believes that the EU Commission should foster a regulatory environment that supports and encourages the full potential of industrial cogeneration installations.
To this end, it is vital that the efficiency reference values, which define the criteria for high-efficiency qualification, reflect a realistic and economically feasible approach and avoids establishing barriers for this type of investment.
To this end, it is vital that the efficiency reference values, which define the criteria for high-efficiency qualification, reflect a realistic and economically feasible approach and avoids establishing barriers for this type of investment.
Production and distribution losses
Production and distribution losses
According to the Commission paper, losses during generation and distribution of electricity are a big part of the problem.
According to the Commission paper, losses during generation and distribution of electricity are a big part of the problem.
Indeed, electricity is generated in power plants whose production is delivered to the main consumption centres through transport lines in which losses are significant.
Indeed, electricity is generated in power plants whose production is delivered to the main consumption centres through transport lines in which losses are significant.
The rapporteur believes that this problem could partly be avoided if electricity was produced closer to the main consumption points, whenever it is possible.
The rapporteur believes that this problem could partly be avoided if electricity was produced closer to the main consumption points, whenever it is possible.
Public Sector
Public Sector
The Public Sector should fulfil an exemplary role in energy efficiency.
The Public Sector should fulfil an exemplary role in energy efficiency.
It not only has the means but the responsibility towards European citizens.
It not only has the means but the responsibility towards European citizens.
This exemplary role could be expressed through the mandatory inclusion of energy efficiency criteria for public purchasing and the use of Energy Savings Contracting for buildings.
This exemplary role could be expressed through the mandatory inclusion of energy efficiency criteria for public purchasing and the use of Energy Savings Contracting for buildings.
Regarding transport, the public sector should attempt to renew the existing public fleets for more efficient and cleaner vehicles, taking into account that when a high number of vehicles is purchased, the priced paid will be significantly reduced.
Regarding transport, the public sector should attempt to renew the existing public fleets for more efficient and cleaner vehicles, taking into account that when a high number of vehicles is purchased, the priced paid will be significantly reduced.
Efforts could also be made in using more efficient light bulbs in street illumination.
Efforts could also be made in using more efficient light bulbs in street illumination.
Public authorities have also the responsibility to ensure that information is passed on to citizens to allow them to consume energy more efficiently, emphasising the positive impact for them as individuals and for society as a whole.
Public authorities have also the responsibility to ensure that information is passed on to citizens to allow them to consume energy more efficiently, emphasising the positive impact for them as individuals and for society as a whole.
The rapporteur believes that the European Union should also fulfil this role but acknowledges that national and local authorities have a better understanding of their demographics and behavioural trends.
The rapporteur believes that the European Union should also fulfil this role but acknowledges that national and local authorities have a better understanding of their demographics and behavioural trends.
Regarding this last point, the rapporteur realises that regardless of already existing and future efforts in legislation, final consumers still have a big role to play if we are to achieve the full potential of these measures.
Regarding this last point, the rapporteur realises that regardless of already existing and future efforts in legislation, final consumers still have a big role to play if we are to achieve the full potential of these measures.
He welcomes the Commission's proposal to make a specific effort in this field through enhanced education, public awareness campaigns and increased information availability not only for the sectors dealing with energy but for citizens as well, considering they can save considerable amounts of energy by changing their consumption habits.
He welcomes the Commission's proposal to make a specific effort in this field through enhanced education, public awareness campaigns and increased information availability not only for the sectors dealing with energy but for citizens as well, considering they can save considerable amounts of energy by changing their consumption habits.
International trade opportunities
International trade opportunities
The global energy situation presents us with both a challenge and an opportunity.
The global energy situation presents us with both a challenge and an opportunity.
A challenge because we have to double our efforts in order to become world leaders in energy efficient technologies and this, in turn, represents an enormous potential in terms of trade with third countries such as China and India, whose energy consumption is increasing exponentially and that sooner than later will require this technology massively.
A challenge because we have to double our efforts in order to become world leaders in energy efficient technologies and this, in turn, represents an enormous potential in terms of trade with third countries such as China and India, whose energy consumption is increasing exponentially and that sooner than later will require this technology massively.
Exports of technology and best practices will be both crucial towards curbing CO2 emission and reducing energy intensity globally while boosting our competitiveness and economy.
Exports of technology and best practices will be both crucial towards curbing CO2 emission and reducing energy intensity globally while boosting our competitiveness and economy.
The rapporteur, however, wishes to point out that at the present moment there still exist many non-tariff barriers to trade, including legal uncertainty with respect to intellectual property rights, and efforts have to be made to ensure level playing field for European companies abroad.
The rapporteur, however, wishes to point out that at the present moment there still exist many non-tariff barriers to trade, including legal uncertainty with respect to intellectual property rights, and efforts have to be made to ensure level playing field for European companies abroad.
PRESENT AND FUTURE INITIATIVES
PRESENT AND FUTURE INITIATIVES
As stated before, the rapporteur believes that the Commission should give priority to ensuring that current legislation on energy efficiency is properly enforced in Member States.
As stated before, the rapporteur believes that the Commission should give priority to ensuring that current legislation on energy efficiency is properly enforced in Member States.
It should also make an impact assessment of these measures taking into account their cost-effectiveness.
It should also make an impact assessment of these measures taking into account their cost-effectiveness.
These Directives, that followed the Commission Energy Efficiency Action Plan of 2000, are on:
These Directives, that followed the Commission Energy Efficiency Action Plan of 2000, are on:
- Energy Performance in Buildings;
- Energy Performance in Buildings;
- The Promotion of Cogeneration;
- The Promotion of Cogeneration;
- The Taxation of Energy Products and Electricity;
- The Taxation of Energy Products and Electricity;
- Energy Efficiency Requirement for Ballasts for Fluorescent Lightning;
- Energy Efficiency Requirement for Ballasts for Fluorescent Lightning;
- Labelling of Electronic Ovens, of Air-conditioners and of Refrigerators;
- Labelling of Electronic Ovens, of Air-conditioners and of Refrigerators;
- Eco-design Requirement for Energy-using Products;
- Eco-design Requirement for Energy-using Products;
- Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services.
- Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services.
The rapporteur welcomes the future development of an harmonised EU system of benchmarks and energy efficiency indicators that will allow to measure the progress realised in Member States and hopes that the Committee procedure will start as soon as possible.
The rapporteur welcomes the future development of an harmonised EU system of benchmarks and energy efficiency indicators that will allow to measure the progress realised in Member States and hopes that the Committee procedure will start as soon as possible.
The rapporteur welcomes the proposal of the Commission for Member States to develop Energy Efficiency Actions Plans, he wishes to point out however that energy efficiency measures take time to enforce and to see their true impact.
The rapporteur welcomes the proposal of the Commission for Member States to develop Energy Efficiency Actions Plans, he wishes to point out however that energy efficiency measures take time to enforce and to see their true impact.
He therefore suggests that these plans should be done in reasonable intervals.
He therefore suggests that these plans should be done in reasonable intervals.
Regarding future initiatives, a Directive on energy efficiency in Transport would be welcomed by Parliament.
Regarding future initiatives, a Directive on energy efficiency in Transport would be welcomed by Parliament.
The Commission's Action Plan on Energy Efficiency , expected by May 2006, should include specific future proposals to be developed.
The Commission's Action Plan on Energy Efficiency , expected by May 2006, should include specific future proposals to be developed.
The rapporteur believes that revision of the Guidelines on State Aid for environmental protection provide an unique opportunity to improve the possibilities of funding energy efficiency measures.
The rapporteur believes that revision of the Guidelines on State Aid for environmental protection provide an unique opportunity to improve the possibilities of funding energy efficiency measures.
Moreover, he welcomes the initiative of certain Member State of introducing financial support for the purchase of clean vehicles.
Moreover, he welcomes the initiative of certain Member State of introducing financial support for the purchase of clean vehicles.
The planned Green Paper on a Secure, Competitive and Sustainable Energy Policy for Europe foreseen in the Commission's Legislative Programme for 2006 will provide an unique opportunity to reflect on the EU's global energy strategy.
The planned Green Paper on a Secure, Competitive and Sustainable Energy Policy for Europe foreseen in the Commission's Legislative Programme for 2006 will provide an unique opportunity to reflect on the EU's global energy strategy.
The rapporteur thinks that this consideration should be done in combination with the intermediate review of the White Paper on the European Transport Strategy .
The rapporteur thinks that this consideration should be done in combination with the intermediate review of the White Paper on the European Transport Strategy .
Finally, the rapporteur wishes to stress again the importance of targeting specific areas where greater improvements can be made in a cost effective manner.
Finally, the rapporteur wishes to stress again the importance of targeting specific areas where greater improvements can be made in a cost effective manner.
It would be therefore convenient, if the Commission's future proposals avoid doubling existing legislation and strengthen coordination between initiatives.
It would be therefore convenient, if the Commission's future proposals avoid doubling existing legislation and strengthen coordination between initiatives.