NGO launch 'Cool Products, Warm Homes' manifesto
October 19, 2009
A coalition of environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has launched its new "Cool Products, Warm Homes Manifesto" at a conference in the European Parliament.
The coalition is asking the EU institutions and Member States to put in place as a matter of urgency more ambitious legislation to reduce energy demand for heating and cooling buildings.
"Europe needs to massively boost its efforts to reduce energy demand for heating and cooling buildings, including long-awaited minimum efficiency requirements for boilers, water heaters, and air conditioners," according to Edouard Toulouse from ECOS, one of the coalition members.
The EU’s energy consumption for heating and cooling buildings accounts for about one quarter of all energy consumed in Europe, he pointed out, and this is as much as all EU transport combined.
The coalition has criticised the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC) for failing to introduce enough measures that will really improve the energy performance of the EU's houses, offices and other buildings.
The NGOs want to see an enhanced role for Energy Performance Certificates which would allow customers to make informed choices regarding the energy consumption of buildings.
A revision of Directive 2002/91/EC is expected shortly and the coalition members are keen to influence its final shape.
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