Europe - The "ENERGY-EFFICIENCY-WATCH"

On the verge of the EU Spring Council, European Parliamentarians, energy efficiency related industry and NGOs presented today in the European Parliament the ENERGY-EFFICIENCY-WATCH (www.energy-efficiency-watch.org).

The ENERGY-EFFICIENCY-WATCH(EEW) is the new common flag for ENERGY EFFICIENCY in and for Europe. Its goal is to ensure ambitious national energy efficiency action plans in all EU Member States. EP Vice-President MECHTILD ROTHE (PSE), MEP ANDERS WIJKMAN (EPP), MEP
CLAUDE TURMES (GREENS), MEP FIONA HALL (ALDE) and Dutch MP BORIS VAN
DER HAM – co-founders of the EEW - together with representatives from several industry associations (EURIMA, EUROACE, COGEN, ELC, ECI, GEPVP) and WWF highlighted at a press conference today the urgent need to use the existing potentials for energy efficiency in all sectors.

The cross party and cross-country politicians urge Member States and industry: "Whether buildings,cars or electrical equipment, Europe has to be more energy efficient in all sectors in order to reduce CO2. It makes no sense to point the finger at each other. Industry and politicians have to act now. Time is short and the instruments and measures are obvious.

The Energy-Efficiency-Watch shall contribute to inform decision-makers and to push the development all over Europe."The energy efficiency related industry is ready to act: "In almost all sectors, a cost-efficient energy reduction of at least 40% is possible. Solutions available today, such as better insulation and windows,
efficient equipment (e.g lighting, appliances, motor systems) or the use of cogeneration can easily contribute to fulfil Europe's commitments to reduce CO2. Also, large commercial opportunities
exist for Europe to become the global technology leader in energy efficiency."

The WWF also supports this initiative. "We need clear and strong decisions by all policy makers from all levels. We still can tackle climate change!"

Background:
The Energy-Efficiency-Watch is a new initiative following a call from several European Parliamentarians.It accompanies and monitors the developments around the Energy Efficiency Directive and the national energy efficiency action plans in the coming years, offers best-practice advice to decision-makers in governments and parliaments and hosts a platform for the energy efficiency community within Europe. Following the Energy Efficiency Directive, EU Member States are expected to table their national plans by the end of June 2007.

For more information, please contact: Dr. Jan Geiss, Energy-Efficiency-Watch, c/o EUFORES, Tel: +32-2-5461948, geiss@eufores.org, www.energy-efficiency-watch.org