Recommendation 1979/167 - 79/167/ECSC, EEC, Euratom: Council recommendation of 5 February 1979 on the reduction of energy requirements for buildings in the EC - Main contents

official title

 

Legal instrument	Recommendation
Number legal act	Recommendation 1979/167
Original proposal	COM(1977)186
CELEX number i	31979H0167

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79/167/ECSC, EEC, Euratom: Council recommendation of 5 February 1979 on the reduction of energy requirements for buildings in the Community

Official Journal L 037 , 13/02/1979 P. 0025 - 0026

Spanish special edition: Chapter 12 Volume 3 P. 0134

Portuguese special edition Chapter 12 Volume 3 P. 0134

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 5 February 1979 on the reduction of energy requirements for buildings in the Community (79/167/ECSC, EEC, Euratom)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaties establishing the European Communities,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),

Whereas the Council, in its resolution of 17 December 1974 concerning Community energy policy objectives for 1985 (4) approved the objective of reducing the rate of growth in energy consumption for the Community as a whole to a level of 15 % below the forecasts made in January 1973 ; whereas the Council adopted at the same time a Resolution on a Community action programme for the rational utilization of energy (5);

Whereas at the Council meeting on 6 and 7 July 1978, the Heads of State or of Government of the Member States adopted the objective of reducing to 0 78 the ratio between the rate of increase in energy consumption and the rate of increase in the gross domestic product in the Community by 1985;

Whereas it is estimated that substantial additional energy savings could be obtained by 1985 by investing in improved thermal insulation of buildings, in reductions in unnecessary air changes, and in the improved efficiency of heating and cooling systems;

Whereas such investments will benefit both society as a whole and the parties directly concerned by reducing energy requirements, by contributing to the protection and improvement of the environment, by providing additional employment and by contributing to a reduction in the foreign exchange cost of imports of energy;

Whereas, while some of the benefits may be enjoyed, in the short term, in the form of higher standards of comfort, future price increases for energy will be absorbed with less difficulty by the population and with fewer inflationary pressures provided that the whole of the building stock satisfies relatively high standards of thermal insulation by the end of this century;

Whereas a commitment by all Member States to immediate and full-scale programmes of action is necessary to obtain these benefits;

Whereas a permanent consultation procedure should be established to determine the relative contributions made by Member States' programmes towards the realization of the Community's objectives and to facilitate exchanges of experience, (1)OJ No C 138, 11.6.1977, p. 4. (2)OJ No C 266, 7.11.1977, p. 55. (3)OJ No C 287, 30.11.1977, p. 3. (4)OJ No C 153, 9.7.1975, p. 2. (5)OJ No C 153, 9.7.1975, p. 5.

HEREBY RECOMMENDS THE MEMBER STATES:

• 1. 

  To pursue, in the context of the programmes referred to in the second subparagraph, policies designed to save energy by reducing energy requirements through the improvement of the thermal efficiency of buildings.

These policies shall be decided in the context of a programme extending over at least four years, which takes account of variations in social, economic and climatic conditions. The implementation of this programme will depend upon the necessities of short-term economic management and the availability of public funds.

Member States, without prejudice to the division of responsibilities between central, federal, regional or local government, shall decide upon the categories of building to include in the programme of action, giving priority to a substantial improvement in buildings under the direct control and management of public authorities and buildings in residential use.

• 2. 

  To adopt the programmes...

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