Background A survey of Italian businesses operating energy-intensive systems noted that many industrial processes were still wasting heat. The energy content of this heat could be recovered through a small number of high power applications. Such approaches offer opportunities to contribute knowledge towards finding BAT and BREF for industries with high CO2 emission levels. Objectives The H-REII project’s main objective involved establishing a Local Pilot Observatory for improving energy conservation in Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs), with an aim to reduce CO2 emissions. The Observatory’s work would include mapping energy conservation opportunities in EIIs, and also developing options for new policies or governance actions capable of promoting energy conservation and reducing CO2 emissions in these industries. Energy audits would be conducted at selected EIIs and other anticipated project outcomes included quantification of EIIs’ potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions via heat recovery. Results The H-REII project achieved its main objective and contributed to the Europe 2020 strategy goals by confirming the potential of EII heat recovery systems as effective energy saving tools. Project results also had an important impact on local and national level legislation, as project partners were able to inform the procedures for defining new regulations. Subsequently, the Lombardia Region and Italian energy plans have been updated to include heat recovery systems among the strategic technologies for energy efficiency that are promoted by incentive schemes (‘white certificates’). Specific outcomes relate to the successful establishment of the Observatory and it’s work programme, which continued with a follow-up LIFE project (LIFE10 H-REII DEMO). The Observatory team produced their intended methodology for assessing EII heat recovery options. This was tested in glass, cement, steel and other EIIs. It uses a mathematical compatibility index to assess the compatibility of heat recovery systems to the waste heat generated by different EIIs. The team also designed a specific ‘energy audit kit’ that provides audit data from: analysis of the heat flows; assessment of the technical feasibility of the heat recovery system installation; and economic analysis to assess the return on investment. 50 energy audits and 10 detailed analyses were then completed within Italian EIIs. Positive results concerning application of heat recovery systems were recorded in 22 of the Italian EIIs studied. An additional 48 audits were carried out in Austria and findings from this work confirmed the methodology’s transferability, whilst also strengthened the team’s understanding of other challenges involved in heat recovery at European EIIs. Proposals for upgrading the BAT and BREF in two of the six target sectors were completed. Such activity focused on the revision of cement industry and energy efficiency BAT and BREF. At the end of the project a formal request for BAT and BREF upgrades were submitted to the competent authorities. A simplified procedure for authorising heat recovery system installation in EIIs was also drafted during the LIFE project, by the partner Province of Brescia. This analysed all the relevant legislative requirements for the installation of similar plants. The procedure documentation was expected to be formally adopted by the Province soon after the project’s completion. The project can accelerate the development of the so-called “white economy” (energy savings) in which EU and Italy, in particular, have a leading position. The heat recovery technologies can boost competitiveness in the EU manufacture sectors, generate potential investment (by up to 8 billion €), and create new jobs opportunities. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).