The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Alejo VIDAL-QUADRAS ROCA (EPP/ED, Spain) on the energy performance of buildings. (Please refer to the text dated 18/12/01). Parliament pointed out that recent years have seen a rise in the number of air-conditioned systems in Southern European countries. This created considerable problems at peak load times, increasing the cost of electricity and disrupting the energy balance in those countries. Priority should be given to strategies which improve the thermal performance of buildings during the summer period. There should be a further development of passive cooling techniques, primarily those which improve indoor climactic conditions and the microclimate around buildings.�