Irish Regions Office Website

July 18, 2009

Eco-efficiency roadmap

The Swedish Presidency has published a report entitled 'A European Eco-efficient Economy' ahead of the informal meeting of energy and environment ministers on 23-25 July. The report argues that, in order to build upon Europe's leadership as regards climate change commitments, the EU needs to continue promoting innovation and energy efficiency.

Three areas where EU policy can promote a shift to a competitive green economy are highlighted: 1) pursuing greater resource system efficiency, particularly through energy efficiency and sustainable urban planning; 2) further exploring climate change solutions offered by new technology markets such as renewable energies and sustainable transportation; and 3) instituting global carbon pricing as a standard practice.

The report also provides an action plan for a more sustainable future which urges EU policy-makers to: adopt ''package solutions'' combining taxes, standards-setting and novel forms of governance in the manner of the green package for renewables; to further promote clean technologies and better platforms to assess the impact of climate policies; and to push for a gradual expansion of global carbon pricing as well as international standards.

Report

Posted by iroronan at July 18, 2009 02:15 PM