Ms Toia's proposal is part of the parliament's draft response to a European Commission policy paper on the ICT sector and energy efficiency. In her draft report, Ms Toia also calls for a binding timetable for mobilising ICTs to improve energy efficiency.

The EU needs a methodology for measuring energy use and carbon emissions, she says. This requires universal standards for energy measuring equipment such as smart meters. Ms Toia also calls for a specific policy paper on smart meters to ensure they are rolled out as mandated by the third energy market package.

The MEP's emphasis on smart meters was not shared by all committee members. Green MEP Philippe Lamberts said the focus should first be on smart grids, mobility and appliances. A member from the centre-right EPP group questioned the cost of imposing a binding timetable for deploying ICTs.

Liberal MEPs Jens Rohde and Fiona Hall supported Ms Toia's approach. Ms Hall said they were "absolutely essential as a pre-requisite for getting new technologies in place". Mr Rohde suggested MEPs could call for a binding efficiency goal for reducing the ICT sector's own energy use.

An efficiency target for the sector has been controversial within the industry. An industry-led roadmap for action on efficiency adopted on Monday did not commit to such a goal. Nevertheless, the commission raised the possibility once again at Tuesday's debate in the industry and energy committee.