The policy instrument addressed by the partner is the ERDF operational programme of Reunion. The thematic objective specifically is TO4 ‘Promoting energy efficiency and production and use of renewable energy’. Reunion’s operational programme under TO4 aims to to promote energy efficiency and use of renewable resources, especially in public infrastructures and housing including social housing (4IP4c). In tropical areas such as Reunion thermal rehabilitation is indeed very different from the situation encountered in continental Europe, thus there should be implemented tailored measures. Two key focus included under 4IPc are the limitation of air conditioning use and a more systematic use of solar water heaters instead of electric water heaters.

 As for the lead partner, currently TO4 does not include any investment priority targeting energy efficiency and use of renewable resources in businesses specifically. Despite this, the partner who is the managing authority of the operational programme considers important to promote changes in energy efficiency and use of renewable resources also in companies operating in the industrial system and especially those working in the service sector, which is indeed the key economy sector of the region. Improvements are thus needed to include energy efficiency standards and prove that businesses’ energy investments in energy efficiency result in significant energy savings, economic opportunities and cultural value.

The policy instrument is the ERDF operational programme of Arores. The thematic objective specifically is TO4 ‘Promoting energy efficiency and production and use of renewable energy’ while the Investment Priority taken into account is IP4b ‘Promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies in enterprises’. The policy instrument addressed falls under the Interreg Europe specific objective 3.1. IP4b is intended to promote energy efficiency and use of renewable resources in enterprises. Business support mainly focuses on promoting energy efficiency in their production process, starting from an auditing/study/energy analysis and then finding solutions, including the possible production of energy from renewable energy sources for self-consumption. The support measure can cover all sectors of activity.

Through the development and implementation of the action plan within the framework of the RESOR project, Azores expect to include in IP4b a more specific focus providing tailored support to businesses operating in the service sector and in the agro-forest one, paying special attention to meat and milk industries. On one hand, tourism is an emerging activity in the region and the businesses working in the field need to be supported in the uptake of eco-efficient measures; on the other hand the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products represent key economic activities for the archipelago and they should result in more sustainable processes.

The policy instrument is the ERDF operational programme of Madeira. The thematic objective is TO4 ‘Promoting energy efficiency and production and use of renewable energy’ while the IP taken into account is IP4b promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies in enterprises’. The choice of this investment priority is based on the need to reduce regional external dependence, the import of primary fossil energy and environmental impacts, as well as to improve businesses’ competitiveness in a context where energy and technologies have increased costs due to the size of the market and the geographical conditions of the region. Energy efficiency and renewable energies contribute to lower operating costs, which have multiplier effects and favourable implications for the economy and employment. Through the RESOR project, Madeira expects to learn from other regions to fine-tune the improvement of this measure, while ensuring a more targeted support for companies operating in the manufacturing sector and the field of tourism. As for Azores, tourism is an emerging sector, with good prospects for the future development of the region, which should thus be supported towards more eco-efficient behaviours and processes. Manufacturing industry also represents an important economy activity to be considered given that it has suffered more than from a very negative evolution in recent years because of the economic and financial crisis.

The high operational costs of the companies contribute negatively to their competitiveness. An important part of the operating costs of the companies in Cyprus is related to energy costs, reflecting the national weaknesses in the field of energy efficiency and its dependence on oil imports. In the context of the programming period 2014-2020, the implementation of measures to improve energy efficiency in business as well as RES interventions will be funded.

 Actions for energy upgrade of secondary and tertiary sector will contribute to reduce the energy costs and enhancing competitiveness of businesses, contributing to the wider objectives of supporting selected sectors in the effort to revive the country's competitiveness. The interventions promoted under the investment priority 4b will also contribute to increasing energy savings in primary consumption, thus contributing to the corresponding quantitative target set by the country in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and in the National Strategy for the Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources. The energy savings from the implementation of energy upgrades in the business sector according to the National Plan is estimated to reach 61 ktoe by 2023.

The policy instrument addressed by the partner is the ERDF operational programme of Epirus. The thematic objective specifically is TO4 ‘Promoting energy efficiency and production and use of renewable energy’. Epirus’s operational programme under TO4 aims to promote energy efficiency and use of renewable resources, especially in public infrastructures and housing including social housing (IP4c) and low-carbon strategies for the region, including urban areas(IP4e).

 As for other partners, currently TO4 does not include any focus targeting energy efficiency and use of renewable resources in businesses specifically. The region of Epirus, who is the managing authority of the operational programme, considers important to promote changes in energy efficiency and use of renewable resources also in companies operating in the industrial system and in the service sector. Improvements are thus needed to include energy efficiency standards and prove that businesses’ energy investments in energy efficiency result in significant energy savings, economic opportunities and cultural value.

The policy instrument is the operational programme of Guadeloupe. The thematic objective specifically is TO4 while the Investment Priority taken into account is IP4b ‘Promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies in enterprises’. The choice to include this measure was based on the need to reduce regional external dependence, imports of primary fossil energy and environmental impacts, as well as to improve businesses’ competitiveness in a context where energy and technologies have increased costs due to the size of the market and the geographical conditions. From the RESOR project Guadeloupe expects to learn from other regions to fine-tune the improvement of this measure, while ensuring a more tailored support for companies operating in the service sector, in particular in tourism activities. The economic tissue of companies is marked by the predominance of the services sector (according to the Tourism Development Scheme in 2011 there were 420,000 tourists and 5,000 businesses linked to tourism). However, the OP stresses on the fact that the region's companies suffer from a lack of competitiveness and a lack of own funds. It is why the partner is strongly committed to the improvement of the addressed policy instrument as the support of enterprises in energy efficiency and RES use is a key issue for the increase in their competitiveness and in the sustainability of the exceptional natural resources that characterise the island.

The policy instrument addressed by the partner is the ERDF operational programme of Martinique. The thematic objective specifically is TO4 ‘Promoting energy efficiency and production and use of renewable energy’ which includes two Investment Priorities: IP4a ‘Promoting the production and distribution of energy from renewable sources’ and IP4c ‘Supporting energy efficiency, smart energy management and renewable energy use in public infrastructure, including in public buildings and in housing’.

 IP4a’s aim is to go towards an energy autonomy by increasing the use of renewable energies, particularly solar and thermal energy. IP4c is intended to promote energy efficiency and use of renewable resources, especially in public infrastructures and housing (including social housing).

 As for other project partners, currently within Martinique’s TO4 of the operational programme there is no measure targeting businesses, which is the main issue the project aims to address. Martinique recognises the importance of promoting changes and improvements also in companies operating in the industrial system and especially those working in the service sector, which is actually the key economy sector of the region. Improvements are thus needed to include energy efficiency standards and prove that businesses’ energy investments in energy efficiency and use of renewable resources result in significant energy savings, economic opportunities and cultural value.