Efektywność energetyczna w polityce Unii Europejskiej i Polski

Energy efficiency is the ability to use less energy to produce the same amount of useful work or services. Conservation is closely related and is simply using less energy. Improved energy efficiency and conservation reduces energy consumption and energy costs, while maintaining equivalent service in homes, offices, factories, and automobiles. Moreover energy efficiency is one way of combating climate change, it also helps in implementation of Kyoto commitments. This article gives on overview of present energy policy of European Union and Poland. Recently European Union has been very active in a field of energy efficiency and has published several documents on that subject. Also Energy Framework Programme is a tool for implementation of objectives set by the Commission. Poland has not yet a complex and effective organisational structure for energy efficiency policy and programmes development and implementation. There are many operational bodies, which have gained important national and international experience working very often on a commercial basis. Poland plays an active role in various EU co-operation programmes it is important that the Government further stimulates the participation of Polish institutions and enterprises in relevant programmes, like SAVE, ALTENER and SYNERGY. But there are a couple of concerns. Once a national programme for energy efficiency is defined (this being the top priority), there is a need for defining responsibilities between the various actors. Another aspect that requires attention is the need to maintain good co-ordination and co-operation, to ensure efficiency and to avoid duplication between the large number of organisations involved in implementing energy efficiency measures.