A wide stakeholder coalition representing professional organisations and NGOs sent an open letter to the European heads of state calling for the inclusion of energy efficiency in the EU’s strategy towards a smart, sustainable and inclusive economic future.

Background:

 “Responsible Energy for European Regions”:

New Blog by the Assembly of European Regions and GE Energy 
to promote discussion on European Energy Challenges

Brussels (B), 22 June 2010

Brussels, 22 June 2010 – Cefic launches a toolkit designated to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) in small and medium-sized enterprises through Responsible Care®, the voluntary initiative to continuously improve the environmental, health and safety performance in the chemical industry. This toolkit brings together for the first time validated tools on occupational health, process safety, transport safety, energy efficiency, chemicals management and others areas, making them freely available for SMEs. “Responsible Care is the path to sustainable business success.

A study carried out by ANEC shows that balcony barriers and swimming pool fences used in homes across Europe are not effective in stopping young children from climbing them quickly. However, simple changes to their design would markedly improve the degree of safety offered.

With summer officially starting today, almost everyone is looking forward to relaxing at home in the sunshine. Unfortunately, elevated terraces and balconies pose particular risks to young children, as do swimming pools that do not have adequate fencing.