Strategies and policies
By 2020, the EU aims to:
- reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20%
- increase the share of renewable energy to at least 20% of consumption
- achieve energy savings of 20% or more
All EU countries must also achieve a 10% share of renewable energy in their transport sector.
The partnership of the Urban Agenda for the EU on energy transitionhas as objectives to have a long-term structural change in energy systems, i.e. a shift to renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Main links
Energy Roadmap 2050 [COM(2011)885]
Other links
EU 2020 climate and energy package
Resource efficiency opportunities in the building sector (2014) [COM(2014) 445]
European strategy for low-emission mobility
Driving Europe’s transition to a low-carbon economy - low carbon economy package
Innovation for a sustainable Future - The Eco-innovation Action Plan (Eco-AP)
Urban data and studies
- 26 MARCH 2018
Energy and Smart Specialisation Platform on Energy (S3PEnergy)
Open Data Portal for European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF)
Financing energy renovation of buildings with Cohesion Policy Funding
Progress on energy efficiency in Europe (2015)
- 26 MARCH 2018
- 26 MARCH 2018
Funding opportunities and advice
Programmes and funding opportunities
European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)
European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF)
European Investment Project Portal (EIPP)
Urban Innovative Actions (UIA)
For more information and other funding opportunities, please visit our dedicated funding page.
Connecting Europe Facility funds
European Energy Efficiency Fund
'Marguerite' fund for energy, climate change and infrastructure
LIFE (Financial Instrument for Environment and Climate Action)
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking
Advice and technical assistance
Urbis is a new dedicated urban investment advisory platform within the European Investment Advisory Hub. It is set up to provide advisory support to urban authorities to facilitate, accelerate and unlock urban investment projects, programmes and platforms.
European Local Energy Assistance (ELENA)
Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions (JASPERS)
JASPERS is the 'Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions', free of charge for local authorities and promotors, which advices cities and regions on strategic planning in a wide range of sectors. It supports the preparation of projects in areas benefiting from EU funds so they meet all the necessary standards.
fi-Compass is a platform for advisory services on financial instruments and is designed to support European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) managing authorities, Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) microfinance providers and other interested parties, by providing practical know-how and learning tools on financial instruments.
References
Beginner's Guide to EU Funding
Accessing regional-policy funds
Networking
Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities
Awards
European Green Capital Award (EGCA)
European Capital of Innovation
Project examples
LIFE Programme database - energy related projects
Smart Cities Information System - Concerto TMD database
FASUDIR - Integrated Decision Support Tool Overview
RIBUILD - Robust Internal Thermal Insulation of Historic Buildings
EFFESUS - Energy Efficiency for EU Historic Districts’ Sustainability
EU legislation
Main laws
Directive 2009/28/EC - promotion of use of energy from renewable sources
Directive 2010/31/EU - energy performance of buildings
Directive 2012/EU/27 - on energy efficiency
Other laws
- Directive 2008/50/EC - ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe
- Regulation 663/2009 - aiding economic recovery by granting financial assistance to energy projects
- Directive 2009/125/EC - setting ecodesign requirements for energy-related products
- Directive 2010/30/EU - indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products