15.7.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 176/29 DECISION No 1230/2003/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 26 June 2003 adopting a multiannual programme for action in the field of energy: ‘Intelligent Energy — Europe’ (2003 — 2006) (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (%), Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (2), Having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions (?), Acting in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1) Natural resources, the prudent and rational utilisation of which is provided for in Article 174 of the Treaty, include, apart from renewable energy sources, oil, natural gas and solid fuels, which are essential energy sources but are also the main sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Promoting measures at international level to deal with regional or world-wide environmental problems is one of the aims of that Article. (2)  The Commission communication entitled ‘A sustainable Europe for a better world: A European Union strategy for sustainable development, presented to the Gothenburg European Council of 15 and 16 June 2001, includes greenhouse gas emissions and pollution caused by transport among the main obstacles to sustainable development. Overcoming these obstacles means adopting a new approach to Community policies to bring them closer to individual citizens and businesses in order to change patterns of consumption and investment. 1) OJ C 203 E, 27.8.2002, p. 47. 0) () 0] C 61, 14.3.2003, p. 38. () O] C 73, 26.3.2003, p. 41. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 20 November 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 3 February 2003 (O] C 64 E, 18.3.2003, p. 13) and Decision of the European Parliament of 13 May 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Decision of the Council of 16 June 2003. (3)  The Gothenburg European Council adopted a strategy for  sustainable development and added an environmental dimension to the Lisbon process for employment, economic reform and social cohesion. (4)  Measures relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources are important elements of the action needed to comply with the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol, as provided for in the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP). Physical changes observed throughout Europe and elsewhere in the world highlight the need for urgent action. (5)  The Green Paper entitled ‘Towards a European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply’ notes that the European Union is becoming increasingly dependent on external energy sources and that its dependence could rise to 70 % in 20 to 30 years' time (compared with 50 % at present) and therefore stresses the need to balance supply policy against clear action for a demand policy and calls for a genuine change in consumers’ behaviour so as to orientate demand towards better managed, more efficient and more environmentally friendly consumption, particularly in the transport and building sectors, and to give priority to the development of new and renewable sources on the energy supply side in order to respond to the challenge of global warming. (6) In its Resolution on the Green Paper Towards a European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply’ (%), the European Parliament identified energy efficiency and savings as first priority. It called for the promotion of an ‘intelligent” approach to energy use, making Europe the most energy-efficient economy in the world. (7)  The Communication from the Commission on an action plan to improve energy efficiency in the European Community provides for the improvement of energy efficiency by an additional 1% a year compared with the figure of 0,6 % which corresponds to the trend recorded over the last ten years. If this target is met, two-thirds of the energy-saving potential, which is estimated at 18 % of total consumption, could be realised by 2010. The action plan proposes legislative (°) O] C 140 E, 13.6.2002, p. 543.