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France introduces energy saving certificates |
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Wednesday, 10 January 2007 |
To raise awareness among all sectors of civil society and encourage a sense of responsibility, French law has recently introduced a new tool: energy saving certificates.
The government compels energy providers (electricity, gas, LPG, oil, for heating and cooling systems) like EDF and Gaz de France to reduce energy consumption over a given period and to make energy savings via their customers, informs ADEME's website. ADEME is the French Environment and Energy Management Agency.
Providers are free to decide what type of action to implement in pursuit of this objective: informing customers on how they can reduce their energy consumption, running promotions in association with equipment retailers or the like.
If the set targets are met in time, providers will receive certificates as an attestation of the total savings achieved. On the other hand, providers will be fined by the treasury if they fail to meet their targets. |