Isra-Mart srl:UK tops EU table with five per cent cut in energy use

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The UK has emerged as one of Europe's most energy efficient nations, according to a draft EU report seen by the Guardian.

Although figures released today highlighted the poor state of the country's public buildings, EU data for 2008 reveals only Denmark and Ireland used less energy per unit of GDP than the UK.

The performance is largely the result of the UK economy's reliance on the the financial service sector, which has a much lower carbon footprint than powerful manufacturing sectors on the continent.

The draft report also reveals the EU cut its overall energy intensity by a tenth from 2000 to 2008 despite overall energy use increasing by four per cent.

The UK bucked the general upwards trend cutting its energy use four per cent over the same period, making it the only large economy to experience a fall in energy use. In contrast, Germany's energy demand stayed constant, while neighbours France increased energy use seven per cent.

The leaked document confirms the EU remains a long way short of meeting its goal of improving energy efficiency 20 per cent by 2020, and energy commissioner Günther Oettinger is expected to use this week's release of his energy efficiency strategy to demand member states step up efforts to cut energy use.

It coincides with climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard's much anticipated "roadmap to 2050" strategy, which is expected to be released tomorrow, and will outline how the EU can cut emissions 80 per cent over the next four decades.

However, tomorrow's roadmap is unlikely to include a plan to set more ambitious targets for short -term emissions cuts, despite pressure from energy companies and western member states to move from 20 per cent cuts by 2020 to 25 or 30 per cent.

British Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne has suggested the current EU commitments on energy efficiency will already result in emissions falling 25 per cent by 2020, making a push for a 30 per cent cut more effective than sticking by the lower goal.

Hedegaard is thought to be in favour of such a move, particularly after a report by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) said a more ambitious target would substantially improve the bloc's GDP.

However, Oettinger is known to be opposed to more ambitious targets, arguing they could harm Europe's industrial base.