General News: EC consults on ICT and energy efficiency

Date: 26 May 2008

At the 2007 Spring European Council, the Heads of State and Government defined three targets for energy efficiency, to be reached by 2020: 20% reduction in emissions compared to 1990 levels; 20% share of renewable energies in the overall EU energy consumption; and 20% savings in EU energy consumption compared to projections.

The importance of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) as a driver of growth and productivity is widely recognised. In contrast, the considerable impact of ICT on improving energy efficiency across the economy (i.e., energy productivity growth), as well as in improving efficiency in the use of natural resources whilst reducing pollution and dangerous waste, needs to be made more visible. This enabling role of ICT in improving energy efficiency, cutting across the whole economy, is the focus of the Commission communication on "Addressing the challenge of energy efficiency through Information and Communication Technologies" adopted on 13th May 2008.

The purpose of this consultation is to gather information and opinions from stakeholders on which the sectors offer the most promising prospects for improved energy efficiency through the use of ICT and what are the actions to be taken at EU level in order to maximise these effects. The results of the consultation will provide input for a second Communication defining a concrete policy approach.

The deadline for submitting contributions is 21 July 2008, a summary of the outcome of the consultation will be published on DG INFSO's website http://ec.europa.eu/ictforsg

Contact: European Commission, DG INFSO, Unit H4 "ICT for Sustainable Growth"

E-mail: INFSO-ICTforSG@ec.europa.eu