Never before has the case for greater energy savings been so strong. Greater energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest, safest, easiest and cleanest way to deliver climate and energy security. It is an area where businesses active in Europe excel and where the right mix of policy and business leadership can improve and protect Europe’s competitiveness. This leadership could position our enterprises to benefit from the global necessity for energy efficiency which will be critical in a resource constrained world.
Europe is at a turning point; whether to launch a determined offensive on wasted energy and to tap into the huge energy saving potential and, in doing so, breaking our addiction to fossil fuels, or to fail to take the necessary measures and leave Europe vulnerable to price shocks, political turmoil and risky energy technologies. With no binding commitment to energy efficiency for 2020 and no clear long term vision for an energy efficient economy, Europe is currently on track to remain highly vulnerable.