Cement, Energy and Environment

Courtesy : TERI Newswire, 1-15 Apr 02, P 29. Fax:4682144 Email: outreach@teri.res.in Web: www.teriin.org EU RATIFIES KYOTO PACT, SLAMS U.S. All15 EU (European Union) nations ratified the Kyoto protocol against global warming as a bioc on Friday and slammed the US for its failure to do so. The Kyoto pact, which grew out of the historic 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, is aimed at cutting emissions of polluting greenhouse gases which are blamed for rising global temperatures . It requires industrialized nations to cut their emissions by an average of 5 per cent over the period 2008-2012. Courtesy : The Times of India, New Delhi. 2.6.2002 MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY INITIATIVES IN EUROPE After the Kyoto commitment of December 1997, the EuropeanUnion Council of Ministers agreed on June 17, 1998, on the Burden-Sharing Agreement 1 towards achieving the 8 per cent European Union commitment to reduce emissions. In this context, Greece is allowed to increase its emission by 25 per cent in the 2008- 2012 period over the 1990 levels. Greek policy concerning the acquisition and manufacturing of new Energy Efficiency Technologies (EET) is contained in a number of laws, which establish a variety of financing mechanisms and incentives for investors: interest rate subsidies; tax-free allowances; extra depreciation rates; lower social security contributions; and favourable tax rates. The main ac tivi ties in energy efficienc y comprise: • • • • • • • Energy conservation investments through the EU Operational Programme for Energy Data collection and statistical analysis Participation in the EU project on energy efficiency indicators Energy auditing programme . Domestic appliance labeling programme "Energy 2001" programme for energy conservation in buildings. Support of 17 Regional Energy Centres Investment subsidies range from 15 to 40 per cent, depending on the geographical location of the investment. An alternative scheme of loans at reduced interest rates and tax credi ts is also provided. The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES) founded in 1988 manages a programme of energy auditing under which it provides money and technical assistance for energy auditing in buildings as well as small and medium-sized enterprises and industry. OPE(Operational Programme for Energy) provided a primary focus for Greek energy efficiencybecause it made available considerable funds for energy efficiency investments in the country. OPE comprised five sub-programmes: electricity generation, energy conservation, renewable energies, identification of mineral energy and water resources, and supportive actions for the operation of the programme. Courtesy: The Bulletin on Energy Efficiency, Apr.2002, PlO Fax: 91-11 -4682204/ 6146004 Email: efficiency@rediffmail.com Web: www. renewingindia.com .