On the road to Paris: Europe in the lead in energy efficiency technologies
As part of the EU Sustainable Energy Week, BusinessEurope on 16 June organised an event to illustrate how European companies are leading on energy efficiency technologies. Launching the debate, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer highlighted that European business had already taken up the challenge of climate change by turning it into business opportunities. Both Jos Delbeke, Director General of DG Climate Action and MEP Giovanni La Via (EPP), Chair of the ENVI Committee, noted the need to adopt a new, ambitious legally binding agreement in Paris. The panel was composed of a mix of technology providers, utilities, transport and manufacturing sectors, and moderated by Barbara Lewis (ThomsonReuters) and Anca Gurzu (Europolitics). The morning discussions focused on the untapped potential in district heating and the importance of innovation in energy efficient products. The afternoon session explored the international linkages between European technologies and non-EU countries, including the social dimension of energy efficiency products in the case of Brazil and the role of SMEs in bringing innovative products to the global market.