EUROPE MUST TAKE ACTION, NOT TALK ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY

12.00.00am GMT Wed 7th Mar 2007

Fiona Hall has called for 'action, not talk' on energy efficiency to make sure that North East businesses and households are helped with practical measures to save energy and money.

The Lib Dem energy spokesperson joined MEPs representing the other major political groups at a press conference in Brussels yesterday to promote the cross-party Energy Efficiency Watch. This initiative brings together MEPs, national MPs, industry groups and NGOs in a combined effort to make sure that European legislation on energy efficiency is properly implemented.

The Liberal Democrat MEP commented:

"On energy efficiency, implementation is everything, The Energy Efficiency Watch aims to make sure that the targets adopted at a European level get turned into practical and accessible measures for businesses and householders and don't get bogged down in bureaucracy."

The British Chambers of Commerce, which represents local chambers of commerce including the North East Chamber of Commerce, has said that Government supported organisations should be refocused to better deal with SMEs, which are vital in efforts to achieve carbon dioxide emission targets.

The Energy Efficiency Watch will accompany and monitor developments on energy efficiency, offer best practise advice to governments, which have to prepare energy efficiency plans by June 2007 and provide an internet site for energy efficiency communication.