Representatives of the EU Institutions - European Parliament, European Economic and Social Committee, Commission DG Energy & Transport and the Executive Agency for Competitiveness & Innovation - signaled to the Cooperatives Europe Energy Seminar (30 April 09) that they are ready and willing to listen to the voice of co-operative enterprises that are engaged in the energy sector. They will consider their representations in the development of the EU energy policy discussions.

Co-operative enterprises from across Europe presented best practice cases of co-operatives delivering solutions in the fields of energy production - hydroelectric, solar and biomass- energy efficiency, the rational use of energy, building/housing management and training projects that all displayed the added value that the co-operative model of enterprise brings to the energy sector. The co-operative difference is that they are ’values’ driven businesses that are ethical and not speculative, and are based locally in living communities.

Cooperatives Europe, in association with Ecopower, will be further developing its database of co-operatives active in the energy sector and will be promoting a networking model that will assist local coops to meet the needs of EU citizens whilst offering ’business to business’ (B2B) opportunities for those enterprises taking part.

As another tool to assist in achieving its objectives for sustainable development, Cooperatives Europe launched its campaign for co-operatives to make progress in addressing the climate threat. The campaign will focus on measuring and reducing the CO2 we create; informing and motivating our members and participating in like European and global campaigns.

Rainer Schlüter, Director of Cooperatives Europe commented, "Cooperatives may at present be an unknown part of the energy debate but it is clear that we have a contribution to make and have the potential for our own European initiatives. Co-operatives can play a key role in the future EU energy strategy"