EU and China discuss energy efficiency of buildings

A formal exchange of views on the energy efficiency of buildings took place between the EU and China this month. A Chinese delegation met with EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas to discuss a possible cooperation agreement on energy efficient buildings. In addition, a joint initiative on building codes, labelling and standards for energy efficient building components was announced at the EU-China summit in Brussels on 20 May, as was an agreement to build a carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration plant in China.

Both sides must decide on how to finance the project between them as well as practical details such as the location of the plant and the technology it will use. Having allocated EU funds for the project, the Commission now plans to publish a communication in June to encourage individual Member States to commit further cash and technical resources to the initiative.