© Emanuela and Dawid Tatarkiewiczowie
Programme area no. 5
Priority sector:
Climate Change and Renewable Energy
EEA GRANTS
2009-14
The EEA Financial Mechanism
shall contribute to the
reduction of economic and
social disparities in the
European Economic Area,
and to strengthening the
bilateral relations between
the EEA EFTA States – Iceland,
Liechtenstein and Norway – and
the Beneficiary States. The
programme area shall contribute
to these two overall objectives.
Energy Efficiency
Objective
Expected outcomes
Reduced emissions of greenhouse gases
and air pollutants
• Improved energy efficiency in
buildings
• Increased energy efficiency in industry
and the transport sector
• Increased utilisation of excess heat
• Improved capacity at national,
regional and local level to undertake
energy-efficiency measures
• Increased awareness of and education
in energy efficiency
December 2010
Relevance of support
Suggested activities
Energy-efficiency measures are one of the most effective and most cost-efficient
approaches for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as for improving
air quality, particularly in densely populated areas.
• Local projects for increased energy efficiency in
buildings
Energy efficiency is a part of the overall approach of the EU in the energy and climate field. In April 2009 the climate-energy legislative package was adopted by the
European Parliament and the Council, setting a target of reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2020 (Decision 3738/08). In their National Energy Efficiency Action
Plan (NEEAP), EU Member States show how they intend to reach the energy savings
target.
Energy use in residential and commercial buildings contributes more than 40% of
Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions. Through cost-effective energy efficiency measures, significant emissions reductions and cost savings can be achieved. There is
also significant potential for reducing consumption, especially in energy-intensive
sectors such as construction, manufacturing, energy conversion, and transport. The
European Commission Communication, “Energy efficiency: delivering the 20% target”, stipulates that industry and the transport sectors have a savings potential of
19% and 20% respectively by 2020.
• Measures to develop analytical and surveillance/
monitoring tools
• Schemes for more efficient use of vehicles and less
polluting fuels
• Energy efficiency initiatives in the SME sector
• Capacity-building projects
• NGO awareness-raising initiatives
Programme area specificities
• Particularly relevant for civil society involvement
• Suitable for small grant schemes
• Suitable for involving small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs)
The EEA and Norway Grants 2004-09 support for greenhouse gas reduction
projects was reviewed in 2009/10. The EEA and Norway Grants were considered to
be a well-managed and well-received programme. The review found that projects
were strongly aligned with national environmental priorities, and represented a
cost efficient contribution towards the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases.
The review suggested that a more narrow and prioritised focus would increase the
impact.
Reduce economic and social disparities
Strengthen bilateral relations
www.eeagrants.org