European Commission proposes a
higher and achievable energy savings target for 2030
New opportunities for European
businesses, affordable energy bills for consumers, increased energy security
through a significant reduction of natural gas imports and a positive impact on
the environment: these are some of the expected benefits of the energy
efficiency target for 2030 put forward today by the European Commission in a
Communication. The proposed target of 30 % builds on the achievements already
reached: new buildings use half the energy they did in the 1980s and industry is
about 19% less energy intensive than in 2001.
The proposed target goes beyond the
25% energy savings target which would be required to achieve a 40% reduction of
CO2 emissions by 2030. At the same time the framework on energy efficiency put
forward today aims to strike the right balance between benefits and costs.
Günther H. Oettinger, Vice-President
of the EU Commission responsible for
energy said: "Our proposal is the basis to drive the EU towards increased security of supply, innovation and
sustainability, all in an affordable way. It is ambitious and at the same time
it is realistic. The energy efficiency strategy will
complete the 2030 framework on energy and climate which has been presented in
January 2014. Our aim is to give the right signal to the market and encourage
further investments in energy saving technologies to the benefit of businesses,
consumers and the environment."
The Communication on energy
efficiency and its contribution to energy security and the 2030 framework
presented today also reviews progress towards the European Union's 20% energy
efficiency target for 2020. The EU is currently forecast to achieve energy
savings of 18-19% in 2020; however, the agreed target of 20% can be reached if
all EU countries fully implement the already agreed legislation. The Commission
does not intend to propose new measures, but calls on the Member States to step
up their efforts to ensure collective delivery of the 2020 target.
Benefits of current energy
efficiency policies
Among the proven advantages for
business and consumers are, f or
instance:
·
Energy intensity in EU industry has
decreased by almost 19% between 2001 and 2011.
·
More efficient
appliances like refrigerators and washing
machines are expected to save consumers €100 billion annually – about €465 per
household – on their energy bills by 2020.
·
New buildings consume half as
much energy today as they did in the 1980s.
Long-term
benefits
T he Communication also explores the
positive impacts of energy efficiency on the lives of Europeans
over the next sixteen years
:
·
For every additional 1 percent in
energy savings, EU gas imports are expected to fall
by 2.6%, decreasing our dependence on external suppliers.
·
More energy efficient
buildings will offer 'ancillary benefits' to
people who live and work in them in addition to reducing their energy bills. For
example, better windows can provide for increased air quality and protection
from external noise.
·
Energy efficiency policies will
create new opportunities for European
businesses such as construction firms and
equipment manufacturers. In line with this, new local jobs are created.
What's next?
As the Communication
announces , the European Commission will
review progress on energy efficiency
in 2017 . It will explore
the question whether additional indicators should be used to express and monitor
progress towards the energy efficiency target. This could be indicators, such as
energy intensity, which better take account of underlying changes in and
projections for GDP and population growth.
Background
The Energy
Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) introduces binding
measures to ensure the target of increasing energy efficiency by 20% by 2020 can
be achieved. This target is part of the EU's wider 2020 energy and climate
goals, including a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 20% share in
renewables in the EU energy mix.
Currently, Italy, Cyprus, Denmark,
Malta and Sweden have so far declared full transposition of the Energy
Efficiency Directive in their national legislation. The deadline for doing so
was 5 June.
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