The use of long term agreements to improve energy efficiency in the industrial sector: Overview of the European experiences and proposal for a common framework
In the European Union efficiency improvements in the industrial sector are regarded as a key element of Member States' strategies to meet their Kyoto target. Besides the traditional policy instruments, such as fiscal and financial aids, minimum efficiency standards, R and D and technology programs, there is an increasing interest by both public authorities and industry for voluntary approaches to improve industrial energy efficiency. In the European context the term voluntary approach is often used to describe a wide range of industry actions including, inter alia: industry covenants, negotiated agreements, long term agreements, self regulations, codes of conduct, benchmarking and monitoring schemes. These voluntary approaches differ in relation to their form, legal status, provisions and enforceability. The paper provides an up-to-date overview of the present status of the different voluntary approaches for the industrial sector in several Member States (the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom). The paper will focus on the particular type of voluntary approach implemented in the Netherlands and commonly called Long Term Agreements (LTA). The paper analyses the opportunities and advantages for creating a common EU framework for the conclusion and implementation of LTAs, based on the successful Dutch model. In doing so, the paper intends also to contribute to the approximation of the LTA's essential elements throughout the Community in order to reduce possible distortions of the internal market and of the competitive position of national industries, thus enlarging the acceptability of this instrument by public authorities and industry. For some industrial sectors, which are quite homogeneous throughout the Community and represent a limited number of companies, the paper analyses the advantages of having European LTAs and recommends their implementation. The paper presents the achievable results at EU level in terms of efficiency improvements and CO{sub 2} emission reductions. The paper proposes also a strategy to further promote the use of LTAs in the European Union; this will include actions to be carried out by the Commission and by Member States.
- Research Organization:
- Commission of the European Communities (XE)
- OSTI ID:
- 20001865
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1999 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry, Albany, NY (US), 06/15/1999--06/18/1999; Other Information: PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Industry and innovation in the 21st century, proceedings, 854 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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