ICT-related recommendations to help the EU turn into a more energy-efficient, low-carbon economy

The European Commission has set out a range of recommendations for the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) industry and EU Member States to move the EU towards becoming a more energy-efficient, low carbon economy.

Commission Recommendation 2013/105/EC of 9 October 2009 on mobilising Information and Communications Technologies to facilitate the transition to an energy-efficient, low-carbon economy.

The European Commission has produced two sets of recommendations, one for the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector and the other for EU Member States, to shift the EU towards becoming a more energy-efficient and low carbon economy.

An overall aim for the ICT sector is to demonstrate a measurable and verifiable reduction in energy intensity and carbon emissions in all processes involved in the production, transport and sales of ICT equipment and components.

One example of a recommendation is for the ICT sector to identify ICT solutions to improve the environmental performance of new and existing buildings as well as construction and renovation practices.

Another example is for the ICT sector to identify ICT solutions together with the transport and logistics sector to improve the environmental and energy performance of these services.

The Commission also called on the ICT sector to agree on common methodologies for measuring energy consumption and carbon emissions by 2010.

Among other things, the Commission asked EU Member States to use ICT-based solutions to improve energy efficiency.

Smart grids and smart metering systems can improve production efficiency and control, and the distribution and consumption of energy. EU Member States had until the end of 2010 to agree on a common specification for smart metering to provide consumers with better information and help them manage their energy consumption. With smart metering in their homes, for example, consumers could reduce their energy consumption by as much as 10%. In 2012, the Commission produced an inventory of smart grid and smart metering projects in Europe. This includes 459 smart grid projects and around 90 smart metering pilots and roll-outs from 30 European countries, that is 28 EU Member States (EU-28 (1)), plus Switzerland and Norway.

Public administrations of EU Member States at national, regional and local levels are urged to make better use of ICT tools for energy simulation and modelling, including in the training of professionals in buildings, transports and logistics sectors.

Another suggestion for EU Member States is to boost the take-up of more energy efficient technology by making it a part of public procurement programmes.

In December 2008, the Union confirmed its commitment to make a reduction of 20 % in its carbon emissions by 2020. The economic and financial crisis has reinforced its will to pursue these objectives and to build a more sustainable economy in the long term.

ICTs have a major role to play in attaining these objectives since they are present in virtually all parts of the economy and could contribute to increasing productivity by more than 40%.

REFERENCES

Act	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Commission Recommendation 2013/105/EC	-	-	OJ L 51 of 23.2.2013

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 12 March 2009 on mobilising Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to facilitate the transition to an energy-efficient, low-carbon economy [COM(2009) 111 final - Not published in the Official Journal].

(1) The United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union and becomes a third country (non-EU country) as of 1 February 2020.