20 Amendments of Kathleen VAN BREMPT related to 2010/2107(INI)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that energy efficiency is the most cost-efficient measure to reduce CO2 and other emissions and that it represents a unique opportunity to support and create jobs, while at the same time lowering dependence on energy imports. Notes that, according to the Commission, energy- saving benefits could amount to over EUR 1 000 per household per year. Stresses the fact that energy efficiency policy is moreover one of the remedies to energy poverty;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Article 1 a (new)
Article 1 a (new)
1a. Considers that, despite the progress made, for example through the adoption of the energy efficiency package, current energy efficiency legislation and measures alone will not be able to reap the full cost effective energy saving potential. The effects of the economic crisis and implemented policies until the end of 2009 deliver some 9% savings compared to projections for 2020. And thus, it seems that, without further action, the cost effective EU 2020 energy savings target of 20% will not be met;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas there are economic as well as social advantages to energy savings; whereas the EU's imports of energy are rising and worth €332 billion in 2007, and according to Commission figures energy benefits per year can amount to over €1 000 per household7 a. Therefore, energy savings and energy efficiency policies are remedies to energy poverty. 7 And successful attainment of the energy efficiency target has the potential to save the EU some €100 billion and cut emissions by almost 800 million tonnes a year,8
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 a (new)
Article 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that there should be clarity on which financial resources can be applied for actions and projects in the field of energy efficiency (just like there are clearly defined budgets for similar actions in the field of renewables). In this respect, the optimal use should be ensured of the resources available in, for example, the Structural and Cohesion Funds, the ELENA Fund and the remaining amounts from the European Economic Recovery Plan (EERP) that can be applied for projects regarding energy efficiency or renewable energy. When developing new financial instruments, attention should be given to these and other instruments already available in the Member States, in order to create synergies and avoid overlaps;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 b (new)
Article 6 b (new)
6b. Asks for European training and awareness raising strategies regarding energy efficiency to be set up. Developing and implementing energy efficient technologies and systems require a special aimed schooling of the workforce (builders, installers, architects, experts, manufacturers, …). Moreover, awareness raising programs need to be developed to inform the consumers how they can reduce their energy consumption;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 c (new)
Article 6 c (new)
6c. Urges that the national Energy Efficiency Action Plans, required by the existing Energy Services directive, should be upgraded to real policy drivers by linking EU policies to the local reality and by coordinating and streamlining fragmented policies;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 d (new)
Article 6 d (new)
6d. Considers it to be necessary that in waste treatment processes biogas and heat losses are avoided through recovery and generation of steam and/or electricity. Waste treatment plants without any form of heat recovery or production of energy should not be granted any permits;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 e (new)
Article 6 e (new)
6e. Gives great importance to the planning processes at the European level. Energy efficiency should be given due attention in the Energy Action Plan 2011- 2020. The new European Energy Efficiency Action Plan should be presented as soon as possible, and energy efficiency should have an important role in the future Roadmap towards a low carbon energy system and economy by 2050;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 f (new)
Article 6 f (new)
6f. Energy efficiency should be integrated into all relevant policy areas, such as financing, regional and urban development, transport, agriculture, industrial policy and education. Defining energy efficiency systematically as an award criterion in public procurement and making it a condition for publicly funded projects would give this policy a major push;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 g (new)
Article 6 g (new)
6g. Points out that, although energy savings clearly bring business opportunities, the energy service market is still limited and the number of companies in most countries remains quite small. Active Energy Service Companies can stimulate actions and assist in providing financing solutions in all final energy sectors. In the building sector we should boost renovation and efficient appliances. In transport, efficient vehicles should be used in an optimal way. And in industry the large saving potential of more efficient processes should be tackled;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 h (new)
Article 6 h (new)
6h. Stresses the fact that second to energy efficiency at the source, namely in the primary energy production, the tackling of losses of (electric) energy during transport through the grids, should be considered a priority. Moving towards a more decentralised production system reduces transport distances and thus energy losses during transport;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 i (new)
Article 6 i (new)
6i. Sees opportunities in tackling light pollution and energy efficiency at the same time through replacing classical public lighting and tourist spotlights on remarkable buildings in cities by more efficient and focussed lighting;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 j (new)
Article 6 j (new)
6j. Urges the (petro)chemical industries throughout the EU to enhance energy recuperation during flaring;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion
Article 6 k (new)
Article 6 k (new)
6k. Urges the Commission to give a prominent role to energy efficiency in the announced White Paper on the future of transport with proposals on stricter vehicle efficiency standards, speed management, promoting a shift to less energy-intensive forms of transport and public transport, and the promotion of renewable and alternative fuels;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 – introductory part
Paragraph 24 – introductory part
24. Welcomes the work by the taskforce on smart meters andbut stresses that the roll-out of smart meters may only be supported when, based on a positive outcome of a full cost-benefit analysis, the effects of smart meters for consumers are positive, low income users are protected and privacy is guaranteed. If so, asks the Commission to put forward a number of recommendations before the end of 2011 to ensure that:
Amendment 322 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Reiterates the need to promote inter- modal transport and model shift solutions as well as the development of intelligent transport systems in order to achieve energy savings in the transport sector (including congestion charging, traffic management information technologies, train infrastructure, etc);
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Believes that, while developing this framework, attention should be given to all financial resources available in the Member States, in order to create synergies and avoid overlaps with other financial instruments;
Amendment 373 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Points out that policies for energy efficiency should be oriented towards involving as many parties as possible, public as well as private, to obtain the largest possible leverage effect, create jobs, contribute to greener growth and encourage the creation of a competitive, connected, and sustainable European market for energy efficiency;
Amendment 419 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40a. Stresses that the fight against energy poverty is extremely important and should be integrated into the future EU flagship initiative against poverty and social exclusion. Moreover, believes that energy efficiency can be a crucial instrument to counter energy poverty and points out that energy efficiency should be emphasized in all relevant policy areas;
Amendment 420 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 b (new)
Paragraph 40 b (new)
40b. Considers that the social dimension to the energy dialogue, covering aspects such as human rights, energy poverty and the protection of low income consumers, should always be taken into account while developing energy policies;