eceee: Commission’s new Climate and Energy Policy Framework lacks ambition

(0-nothing, 23 Jan 2014) eceee notes with regret the launch of the European Commission’s Communication on a policy framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030 that was published yesterday. The lack of clear signals on energy efficiency ambitions and targets risks undermining the weak economy recovery and competitiveness in the EU.

Setting long-term policies and objectives are important in order to give confidence to consumers and the energy efficiency industries to invest in energy efficiency. The Commission’s Communication proposes a binding 40% greenhouse gas target but no target for efficiency or savings and only a 27% renewables target for Europe as a whole.

While a binding 40% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 is important to address climate change and to set an important milestone for 2050 objectives, eceee is disappointed by the lack of ambition for energy savings both in terms of the objective and that it is non-binding.  eceee believes it would be cost effective to go well beyond the 25% increased level of savings the Commission believes is required to achieve the 40% GHG reduction target.

In July 2013 eceee published its views on the 2030 framework in the context of the public consultation process.  eceee stated that the  “2030 policy framework must fully recognise the key role of energy savings, making energy efficiency the starting point in a renewed effort to counter the current economic, environmental and social crises in the most cost-effective manner possible.” eceee stressed: “This is why we call on the EU to put energy savings at the very core and at the heart of the new climate & energy policy and establish in the 2030 framework three well articulated and meaningful binding targets for (1) energy savings, (2) GHG reduction and (3) share of renewables.”  Today’s proposal falls well short for the priority needed for energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency is the “odd man out” in energy policy with no binding target and a serious lack of ambition.  This will give negative signals to the wide range of stakeholders who would have been ready to invest and take energy efficiency measures if they got a positive reaction from the Commission. From the International Energy Agency through to the world’s leading think tanks energy efficiency is considered one of the most cost-effective ways to address climate change and yet this is not reflected in the current policy package.  While it is understood that EU energy efficiency objectives will be reviewed later this year by the Commission, the negative impact of it being downplayed now cannot be overstated.

eceee calls on EU institutions and Member States to show true leadership by reconsidering the priority that energy efficiency deserves.

Further reading:

Commission’s communication

eceee response to the stakeholder consultation on the Green Paper on 2030 Climate and Energy Policy

eceee’s discussion paper on energy efficiency and competitiveness

eceee columnist Hans Nilsson: There is a reason to be disappointed


Other voices on the Commission 2030 Communication

Coalition for Energy Savings: Indecisive Barroso II risks 2030 climate and energy framework

Energy Cities: 2030 Framework: Who will reclaim Europe’s competitiveness and climate leadership?

EuroACE: Energy Efficiency January missed opportunity: Rendez-vous in June

Eurima: European Commissioners shy away from much-needed 2030 vision on energy efficiency