It seems grade inflation has become a problem in energy labelling. Fridges, ovens and washing machines are now so energy efficient that the majority of products on the market feature the European Union’s A rating, making it impossible for consumers to be quite as discerningly green as they might like.

Now the EU’s Energy Labelling Directive is to be expanded, with the creation of three new classes – A+, A++ and A+++ – challenging manufacturers to greener heights. The colour scale in which dark green is the most energy efficient and red the least, will continue to apply.

It was also agreed this week that member states should buy only the highest rated products in public procurement, providing a further prompt for manufacturers not to rest on their (greenish) laurels, but to push for greater energy efficiency.

In addition, new rules on the way to improve the energy performance of buildings (which are responsible for 40 percent of Europe’s overall energy consumption). By 2020 all new buildings must be low-energy. It’s not yet clear exactly how that will be defined, but measures such as this seem sure to promote innovation in branches of clean tech ranging from LED lighting to insulation materials.