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ARTICLE · 12 AUGUST 2014

Eco-Design – Benefits And Challenges

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Energy efficiency is one of the main pillars of the EU climate change initiative. EU Member States committed to increase energy efficiency by 20% by 2020.

European UnionEnergy and Natural Resources
Laurent Ruessmann
Laurent Ruessmann
Jochen Beck
Jochen Beck
David Haverbeke
David Haverbeke

Energy efficiency is one of the main pillars of the EU climate change initiative.  EU Member States committed to increase energy efficiency by 20% by 2020 (alongside a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 20% increase of energy consumption from renewable energy sources).  The eco-design rules aim at increasing energy efficiency and environmental performance of "energy related products"1 throughout their life cycle and thus have a key role in the achievement of the 2020 energy efficiency target.  As the 2012-14 Working Plan on eco-designs approaches its end, this article assesses the challenges and benefits the EU eco-design rules provide to stakeholders and climate protection.

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