Some Aspects of Rational Energy Consumption and Energy Efficiency in the European Union

Abstract

Europe holds the first place in industrial use of energy resources. Energy sector of economy and transport influence environment and could be reasons of climate change. Introducing the EU policy oriented at promoting energy efficiency and use of alternative energy sources has become one of the EU priorities. Ensuring higher levels of energy efficiency is the core component of the EU strategy for sustainable development. Such goals require efforts of all EU member-states. Therefore proper legal regulation of the energy related activities is essential. Energy law is considered to constitute a separate legal discipline due to the imminent importance of such a regulation for economic development and environment. Treaties of the EU and EU secondary legislation form the basis of EU energy law. The EU policies are oriented at the legal integration of norms regulating energy use and environmental issues in the EU energy law.