EU Sustainable Energy Week 2014

20 Jun 2014 10:39 AM

Now in its ninth edition, the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) – 23 to 27 June 2014 – is the premier event for public authorities, energy agencies, private companies, NGOs and industry associations engaged in helping to meet the EU's energy and climate goals.  It features activities dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions in Europe and around the world. 

First launched by the European Commission in 2006, EUSEW is organised with the support of the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME).

What is the goal of EUSEW?

EUSEW helps promote the EU's energy and climate goals, and it serves as an important platform for the exchange of information and best practices amongst participating sustainable energy experts. The EUSEW offers the opportunity to discuss the EU sustainable energy agenda with stakeholders and the general public.

How big is EUSEW and who is involved?

Over 1,000 organisations and 10,000 individuals are active during EUSEW. These include not only companies and public authorities but also associations and schools, as well as national, regional, and local players holding their own Energy Days.

What is in the programme for the EUSEW 2014?

EUSEW 2014 consists of a High Level Policy Conference (HLPC), which will take place in Brussels from 24 to 26 June, and of more than 900 events with around 100,000 participants across the EU, as well as in many countries worldwide including Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldova, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United States, and the Philippines. In Brussels itself, there will be some 130 EUSEW events.

The High-Level Policy Conference consists of 32 sessions taking place in the Charlemagne Commission building and dedicated to sustainable energy. Part of these session are directly organised by the Commission but the biggest part is organised by stakeholders selected via a call for interest. All these sessions are open to the public following a pre-registration online (now closed). On-site registration will open on 24 June at 8.00 a.m.

On 25 June, the Conference will host a side event featuring the winners and short-listed projects of the Sustainable Energy Europe Awards (SEE)' and 'ManagEnergy Award' 2014. The registration for the award ceremony is still open.

The local Energy Days taking place all over Europe will last until the end of the month.

What are the Sustainable Energy Europe Awards (SEE)' and 'ManagEnergy Award'?

The 'Sustainable Energy Europe Awards (SEE)' and 'ManagEnergy Award' recognise outstanding projects in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transport.

The 'Sustainable Energy Europe Awards (SEE)' honour projects in five different categories according to different policy strands:

  1. Awareness-raising (communicating);

  2. Educational programmes (learning);

  3. Buildings (living);

  4. Energy savings (consuming);

  5. Clean mobility (travelling).

Out of 342 applications submitted for the SEE Awards – the highest participation rate ever – 25 projects have been shortlisted across the five categories.

In addition, the ManagEnergy Award recognises regional and local authorities that have played a key role in helping to achieve Europe's 2020 climate and energy goals. This year's Award will focuses on those authorities and energy agencies that are addressing fuel poverty, and/or implementing renewable energy projects or innovative financing schemes for sustainable energy actions. Five projects have also been shortlisted for the ManagEnergy Award.

The winners will be announced at the 2014 Awards Ceremony, hosted by Mr Günther H. Oettinger, EU's Commissioner for Energy, at the Charlemagne building on Tuesday 24 June (18:00 – 19:00).

What are the Energy Days?

Energy Days are not-for-profit events, running throughout the entire month of June, which promote energy efficiency or renewable energy in an interactive way. They can be any kind of activity including presentations, workshops, exhibitions, concerts, or displays organised by public or private bodies.

Energy Days are being held in Brussels, across the EU, and worldwide.

Why is the promotion of energy efficiency and renewables important for the EU?

Energy efficiency and renewable energy are key in the EU strategy for addressing the major energy challenges facing Europe today, in helping the EU to meet its energy and climate goals and ensuring the security of energy supply. They help tackle climate change and pave the way towards a secure and competitive decarbonised economy.

Sustainable energy is also at the heart of the EU’s Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, where energy efficiency and renewable energy sources are seen as a significant generator of employment and overall economic prosperity.

EUSEW aims to demonstrate the necessity and benefits of using energy intelligently to EU citizens and advise individuals and businesses on how they can both contribute to and benefit from energy efficient solutions.

What are the EU's energy and climate goals?

European leaders have set ambitious energy and climate targets for 2020. Known as the 20-20-20 targets, they include:

  1. A reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions of 20% below 1990 levels

  2. An EU-wide binding target for renewable energy of 20% of EU energy consumption

  3. A 20% reduction in primary energy use

For the period up to 2030, the European Commission has also proposed further climate and energy targets which include:

  1. A new greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 40% below 1990 levels

  2. A new renewable energy target of at least 27% of EU energy consumption

  3. A continued role for energy efficiency in the EU's energy strategy, the specifics of which are still to be decided.

EUSEW 2014 media highlights in Brussels

Mr Günther H. Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Energy, will participate in the following events:

  1. “Energy Efficiency Policy – A Policy for Security of Supply, Competitiveness and Sustainability” (Tuesday, 24 June 15:00, Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170, Room Alcide de Gasperi). Energy efficiency remains a cornerstone of the EU's efforts to foster growth, increase competitiveness and employment, ensure energy security and achieve a sustainable energy system for the European Union. In his speech, the Commissioner will focus on the development of future energy efficiency policies in light of the 2030 Communication, the review of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), and the recent developments in the discussion on energy security.

  2. “The Way Forward for European Energy Efficient Product Policy” (Tuesday, 24 June 16:45, Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170, Room Alcide de Gasperi). In his speech, the Commissioner will focus on the European Union’s policies for energy efficient products' contribution to the 2020 targets for energy-efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions. Topics to be discussed include the on-going review of the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives, the label scales, market surveillance and international cooperation.

  3. Sustainable Energy Europe Awards & ManagEnergy Award Ceremony (Tuesday, 24 June, 18:00,Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170, Room Alcide de Gasperi). The Commissioner and Jury Members, chaired by Maria Da Graça Carvalho, Principal Adviser of the European Commission, will award six prizes: five to the winners of the Sustainable Energy Europe Awards and one to the winner of the ManagEnergy Award.

Media contact

Kristina Kiefer, EUSEW Media Relations Desk: media.relations@eusew.eu

The complete Media Highlight Programme is online in the press corner of the EUSEW website and available on-site at the media desk/press point in the Charlemagne entrance hall: http://eusew.eu/press-corner/editorial-material

Website www.eusew.eu

Twitter @euenergyweek

Hashtag #EUSEW14