The 6th JRC Energy efficiency workshop on "Effective Policies and Financial Mechanisms for Energy Efficiency in Buildings", organised by the JRC Institute for Energy (IE) on 3-5 June 2008 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has been very successful with over 60 participants, from the new EU Member States (apart Malta), and a large number of Balkans countries.

The workshop was opened by the Slovenian minister Žiga Turk, who underlined the significance of making progress and his personal commitment to energy efficiency. Speakers from the UN Foundation (US), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the World Bank, the International Financing Corporation (IFC), the Council of Europe Development Bank, the UN FCCC, the Word Business Council for Sustainable Development provided their view on the way forward.

It emerged that the European Union's new Member States are implementing the right set of policies (stemming from the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Service Directive), although the refurbishment of existing low efficiency buildings remains a critical area. Some progress has been made through the activities of the international financing bodies in setting up national financing schemes for end-use energy efficiency. The next step is to involve local commercial banks, having the right set of incentives to stimulate the market.

The National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (required by the Energy Services Directive) presented by representatives from the Union's new Member States also showed some good strategies and interesting policies to reach the 2016 and 2020 energy efficiency targets

What is the JRC Institute for Energy (IE)

The JRC Institute for Energy (IE) provides scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of community policies related to energy. Special emphasis is given to the security of energy supply and to sustainable and safe energy production.