The CoR adopted on 4th May the opinion on "Energy Efficiency in cities and rural districts", drafted by the EA member Brian Meaney.
Clare County Councillor, who also represented the COR at the Informal Energy Council of Ministers in Denmark (19-20 April) backed the EU ambitious plan and objectives in relation to the Energy Efficiency Directive and Energy Roadmap 2050 expressing "support for the Danish Presidency's vision on the EU's sustainable energy future and the need to recognise local and regional efforts already undertaken in the field". The CoR's opinion proposes that local and regional authorities should take an integrated strategic approach to city and rural planning, ensuring consistency and placing energy efficiency at the heart of development.

When it comes to financial support, which seems to be a matter of disagreement between Member states, Cllr. Meaney, reiterated the need that local authorities must be considered within the strategy and called for full support to be given, and for "clear earmarking of the Structural Funds for the purpose of energy efficiency".