The European Union is looking at more energy efficient buildings, cars, power generators, and electrical products by 2020 which will cut the 25-nation alliance's energy use by 20 percent. To facilitate this plan, the EU has launched an action plan that lays out a series of ways to reduce consumption for power and electricity.

With an expected savings of 100 billion euros by 2020, the European Commission's plan includes a 10-point must-do list that includes development of new energy performance standards for 14 product groups that include boilers, water heaters, consumer electronics, copying machines, televisions and lighting, energy standards for buildings, efficiency requirements for power generation, legislation that will limit carbon dioxide emissions, and indirect taxation that will foster the integration of energy efficiency and environmental needs.

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