Europe considering mandatory energy efficiency targets

clipped from www.energyefficiencynews.com European energy and environment ministers meeting this week in Åre, Sweden have been debating whether the EU’s target of reducing energy consumption 20% by 2020 should be made mandatory, according to reports. Last year the EU pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% on 1990 levels by 2020 and increase its proportion of renewable energy to 20% by the same deadline. The third part of the 20-20-20 target, to reduce actual consumption by 20% by 2020 is voluntary. Individual EU nations are responsible for drawing up their own energy efficiency plans to reduce consumption, but critics say the measures lack the necessary bite. Sweden, which has taken over the presidency of the EU, is backing moves to make the energy consumption target mandatory. Meeting the target would require a massive increase in the energy efficiency of buildings, household appliances and transport.