| SUBJECT |
CONTENTS OF INTEREST
FOR SOCIAL HOUSING |
SITUATION TIME TABLE |
ACTIONS TAKEN OR PLANNED |
| SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT |
|
Structural funds 2007-2013
|
|
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|
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Community strategic guidelines
Strategic guidelines adopted
|
> To describe how member states can spent structural funds.
> Growth and jobs two priorities for it, SIG of high quality mentioned, Urban dimension mainstreamed |
> Community strategic guidelines adopted in october 2006: housing is mentionned as important element of physical renovation of urban areas |
> Follow-up Parliament report on strategic guidelines (amendments on housing rejected in REGIO committee, follow-up Plenary June2006) |
|
EU Ministers in charge of Urban development and Territorial Cohesion
The Draft Leipzig Charter
|
> Recommendations on integrated urban development policy
> Focus on deprived neighbourhood
|
> Charter to be adopted at the informal ministerial meeting on sustainable urban development and territorial cohesion, Leipzig 24-25 May 2007 |
> CECODHAS position on the draft Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities (EN) |
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Programme URBACT II
www.urbact.eu
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> The Programme will finance thematic networks mostly made of cities that are willing to exchange on relevant topics and to develop local action plans to solve public policies problems
> URBACT II is with INTERREG IV C the main instrument feeding the Territorial Cooperation Objective of the Cohesion Policy
|
> Call for proposal launched on november 6th |
> Participation to the URBACT I Hous-es network as associate partner
> Consultation with URBACT Secretariat to have housing in the list of thematic issues for the call for proposals
> Selection of a thematic network on housing (SUITE) and a working group on sustainable housing stock (HOPUS)
|
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Communication on Cities and growth and jobs
http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/
consultation/urban/index_en.htm
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> In the framework of the Structural Funds, the communication is listing how to take in account the urban dimension |
> Draft Presented in Bristol at the Urban Ministers meeting (6,7 December), on consultation till the 17 of February
> Communication on Contribution of Cities to Cohesion Policy adopted in july 2006 (reference to housing in the annex). This communication gives content to article 8 ERDF
|
> CECODHAS contribution to Bristol meeting (Dec 2005)
> Position on the draft Communication adopted in February 2006
> Position of CECODHAS on the Communication "cities and cohesion" adopted in Nov 2006
|
| ENVIRONMENT |
Thematic strategy on the Urban Environment
January 2006 (COM(2005)718
|
> Strengthening the environmental performance of the urban zones in order to meet the objectives of the European sustainable development Strategy
> Securing a healthy living environment for Europe's urban citizens
|
> Consultation of all stakeholders by the Commission since 2002
> The final Strategy on the urban environment has been presented by the Commission 11 Jan 2006: encourage to use instruments from other EU policies (such as Structural funds, LIFE + for training), announces creation of a network on evaluation of environmental issues in urban areas |
> Participation in expert working group to prepare the strategy insisting on the social dimension of sustainable development
> Follow-up of the Parliament opinion on it |
| Green Paper : Adapting to Climate Change - Options for the EU (COM(2007)354) |
> Climate change will have impact on living and housing conditions
> Housing can contribute to the adaptation to climate change in the framework of urban planning and energy policies for example
|
> Public consultation online open till 30 November 2007 |
> Contribution of CECODHAS (SUD Working Group) to the consultation |
| ENERGY |
| Third energy liberalisation package |
> The European Commission has adopted a third package of legislative proposals to ensure a real and effective choice of supplier and benefits to every single EU citizen. The Commission's proposals put consumer choice, fairer prices, cleaner energy and security of supply at the centre of its approach
> To this end, the Commission is proposing a number of measures to complement the existing rules:
- Separation of production and supply from transmission networks;
- Facilitating cross-border energy trade;
-More effective national regulators;
- Promoting cross border collaboration and investment;
- Greater transparency;
- Increased solidarity.
|
> Adopted by the Commission on 19 September 2007 |
> CECODHAS will monitor the effects of the liberalisation package in order to estimate its impact on residents |
|
MEPs launch an “Energy-Efficiency Watchdog”
|
> With this initiative the European and national Parliamentarians aim at creating a policy for increased energy efficiency in the EU to guarantee Europe's energy supply and to accomplish the huge challenges we are facing today and in the future
> The objective is to bring energy efficiency technologies into action wherever and whenever possible
> A close co-operation between European, national, local and regional level and all involved stakeholders is needed to act - not only talk - and to watch that energy efficiency measures will be properly implemented
|
> The programme has been launched in January 2006 |
> CECODHAS will establish contact and become member if possible |
| Towards a European Energy Consumers’ Charter: protecting the consumers' right to choose |
> Along with the entitlement to choose a supplier and the universal right to receive energy, the future Charter should provide a range of accompanying standards for the protection of consumers’ rights, including in the areas outlined as follows:
- Increased information to obtain transparency of offers
- Reduced paper work when customers change supplier
- Protecting consumers against unfair selling practices
- More efficient protection of vulnerable consumers
|
> Published : 05 July 2007
> In the beginning of September 2007 stakeholders will be consulted on the proposed elements for a Charter
> Deadline to contribute to consultation: 28th September 2007
|
> CECODHAS answered to the consultation on the Charter |
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Information campaign 'You choose!' on consumers’ rights in open EU energy markets
|
> Along with promoting the opening of energy markets, the major objective pursued by this campaign is to highlight to consumers the opportunity to choose their electricity and/or gas suppliers and to inform them about their rights in open energy markets. Individual consumers will, therefore, be the main recipients of the message |
> Deadline to thake part in the campaign: 20 July 2007 |
> CECODHAS has been asked to join this campaign |
| Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign - A European Campaign to raise awareness and change the landscape of energy |
> The specific objectives of the Sustainable Energy Europe 2005-2008 Campaign are to:
- Raise the awareness of decision-makers at local, regional, national and European level
- Spread best-practice;
- Ensure a strong level of public awareness, understanding and support
- Stimulate the necessary trends towards an increase in private investment in sustainable energy technologies
> The Sustainable Energy Europe 2005-2008 Campaign supports and promotes actions in different areas, including buildings
|
> Duration of the Campaign: 2005-2008
> The Sustainable Energy Week will take place from January 28th to February 1st 2008
|
> CECODHAS will take part in the "Sustainable Energy Week 2008"
> CECODHAS Conference: "Housing and the European Energy Transition", 30 Jan 2008
|
| An Energy Policy for Europe |
> Europe needs to act now, together, to deliver sustainable, secure and competitive energy. In doing so the EU would return to its roots. In 1952 with the Coal and Steel Treaty and 1957 with the Euratom Treaty, the founding Member States saw the need for a common approach to energy
> Energy markets and geopolitical considerations have changed significantly since then. But the need for EU action is stronger than ever. Without this, the EU’s objectives in other areas, including the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs and the Millennium Development Goals, will also be more difficult to achieve
> A new European Energy Policy needs to be ambitious, competitive, long-term and to the benefit of all Europeans
|
> Released on: 10 January 2007 |
> CECODHAS will monitor the development of the European energy policies Plan in order to estimate its impact on residents |
| Towards a European Strategic Energy Technology Plan |
> The European Strategic Energy Technology (SET) plan will contribute to the development of a more sustainable energy system that is up to today's challenges
> The plan will build up a portfolio of more efficient, cleaner and more competitive energy technologies. It will establish stable and predictable conditions for the finance sector and for companies, especially SMEs, developing, providing backing for, and/or disseminating these technologies. It will also influence European citizens' socio-economic behavior by encouraging better energy use
|
> Released on: 10 January 2007 |
> CECODHAS will monitor the development of the Energy Technology Plan in order to estimate its impact on residents |
| Renewable Energy Road Map “Renewable energies in the 21st century: building a more sustainable future” |
> This Road Map, an integral part of the Strategic European Energy Review, sets out a long-term vision for renewable energy sources in the EU
> It proposes that the EU establish a mandatory (legally binding) target of 20% for renewable energy's share of energy consumption in the EU by 2020, explains why it is necessary, and lays down a pathway for mainstreaming renewables into EU energy policies and markets
> It further proposes a new legislative framework for the promotion and the use of renewable energy in the European Union. In doing so, it will provide the business community with the long term stability it needs to make rational investment decisions in the renewable energy sector so as to put the European Union on track towards a cleaner, more secure and more competitive energy future
|
> Released on: 10 January 2007 |
> CECODHAS will monitor the development of the Renewable Energy Road Map in order to estimate its impact on residents |
| Action Plan for Energy Efficiency: Realising the Potential |
> The Action Plan is intended to mobilise the general public and policy-makers at all levels of government, together with market actors, and to transform the internal energy market in a way that provides EU citizens with the globally most energy-efficient infrastructure, buildings, appliances, processes, transport means and energy systems
> Given the importance of the human factor in reducing energy consumption, this action plan also encourages citizens to use energy in the most rational manner possible
|
> Released on: 19 October 2006
> Mid-term review: 2009
|
> CECODHAS will monitor the development of the Action Plan in order to estimate its impact on residents |
|
Directive 2006/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy end-use efficiency and energy services
|
> The purpose of this Directive is to enhance the cost-effective improvement of energy end-use efficiency in the Member States by providing the necessary indicative targets as well as mechanisms, incentives and institutional, financial and legal frameworks to remove existing market barriers and imperfections that impede the efficient end use of energy
> Furthermore, the Directive aims to create the conditions for the development and promotion of a market for energy services and for the delivery of other energy efficiency improvement measures to final consumers
|
> Approved on: 05 April 2006
> Entry into force: 17 May 2006
> Deadline for transposition in the Member States: 17 May 2008
|
> CECODHAS carried out consultation on feedback results |
| Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings |
> The Directive concerns the residential sector and the tertiary sector (offices, public buildings, etc.). The scope of the provisions on certification does not, however, include some buildings, such as historic buildings, industrial sites, etc. It covers all aspects of energy efficiency in buildings in an attempt to establish a truly integrated approach
> The Directive does not lay down measures on moveable equipment such as household appliances. Measures on labeling and mandatory minimum efficiency requirements have already been implemented or are envisaged in the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency
|
> Approved on: 16 December 2002
> Entry into force: 04 January 2003
> Deadline for transposition in the Member States: 04 January 2006
|
> CECODHAS carried out consultation on feedback results |
|
Green Paper on market-based instruments for environment and energy related policy purposes
|
> The Green Paper highlights how the EU has increasingly favoured economic or market-based instruments (“MBI”) such as indirect taxation, targeted subsidies or tradable emission rights
> Financial support should also been directed to Social Housing providers and developers who implement projects to improve energy efficiency or promote the use of renewables
|
> Adoption by the Commission: 28 March 2007
> Public consultation deadline: 31 July 2007
|
> CECODHAS answered the Green Paper on MBI |
|
Green Paper on a European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy
|
> This Green Paper underlines the strategic importance for the EU in developing internal electricity and gas markets along with coherent external energy policy
> Provide citizens with security and competitiveness of energy supply, towards a more sustainable, efficient and diverse energy mix is a priority for the Social Housing sector in order to guarantee the comfort and the wellbeing of dwellers e.g. tackling the problem fuel poverty
|
> Adoption by the Commission: 08 March 2006
> Public consultation deadline: 24 September 2006
|
> CECODHAS will monitor the European policies in order to estimate their impact on residents |
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Green paper on energy efficiency: Doing more with less
|
> The Green Paper proposes to enlarge the scope of the energy efficiency directive, and launch of a sustainable energy campaign
> The external costs and the transparency of prices along with information and education of end-users are also targets to reach
> In this framework, the Social Hosing sector should play an important role particularly in making aware the dwellers about the importance of the rationale use of energy
|
> Consultation till end March 2006.
> Action Plan issued in March 2007 |
> CECODHAS answered the Green Paper on energy efficiency |
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Projects: Intelligent Energy-Europe (IEE)
|
> Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) is a programme of the European Union which co-finances international projects, events
> Energy efficiency and rational use of energy, in particular in buildings and industry (SAVE) is one of the main areas of interest
|
> Call for proposals; Deadline 28 September 2007 |
> CECODHAS answered the call presenting the project: “Energy Intelligent Housing Network Europe”
> The project aims to capitalise on existing knowledge and results of completed and on-going European projects in order to improve the capacity of social housing organisations and residents to maximise energy efficiency and the use of renewables in their housing stock
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