Deciding the future of EU Energy

The European Commission has launched a public consultation towards developing a new energy Strategy for Europe.

The overall goal of the future European energy policy is to ensure secure, low-carbon energy for the next ten years.
 
The European Commission wants to make sure that “EU citizens are guaranteed a high level of safety and security for energy supply and use.”

Securing affordable energy for all is also a central objective of the strategy.

“While days of cheap energy are definitely over…the internal market should ensure that consumers do not pay more than what is really necessary for their energy consumption,” the Commission says.

Market transparency is also a key issue under consideration in the consultation.

“Improving market transparency on network operation and supply which guarantees equal access to information, making pricing more transparent, increasing trust in the market and helping to avoid market manipulation,”are highlighted by the Commission as priorities in this area.

More efficient use of energy can have a positive impact for health equity.

“Home upgrading in poorer areas brings many benefits, including greater energy and water efficiency, tackling fuel poverty, helping attract more mixed communities and mitigating the impact of climate change,” according to the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England.

The new strategy is a follow up to the Energy Action plan that was agreed in 2007.

Equity Channel, as part of our ‘Policy Precis’ series, produced a precis on energy efficiency that makes the link with health equity. For more information please visit our publications page.

More information about the European Commission’s consultation on a new Energy Strategy can be found here.

For more information on the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England can be found here.