Franco-German Energy Efficiency Business Summit highlights opportunities deriving from the new European energy efficiency framework as well as risks and costs for business and citizens if prompt implementation is not ensured

Today DENEFF, European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) and French-German Renewable Energy Office (OFATE) organised a high-level event to promote an adequate and prompt implementation of the new EU Energy Efficiency framework in France and Germany. The event brought together government officials, politicians and businesses.

While France and Germany are due to transpose the new Energy Efficiency and Energy Performance of Building Directives and are in the process of drafting National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), new EEA report highlights that the EU and notably both countries are no longer on track to meet their 2020 and 2030 climate and energy targets.[1]

The adoption of the new EU legislation on energy efficiency and its implementation must be the occasion to redress this situation: Energy efficiency is the fastest and most cost-effective way to meet the overall EU energy-transition challenge of decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency is central to Europe’s decarbonization and indispensable to reach the ambitious and urgent 1.5° goal that would limit the devastating impact of climate change on communities, economies and ecosystems around the world.

Ambitious energy efficiency measures can cost-effectively improve our buildings and the quality of the air we breathe, can pave the way for clean and efficient mobility, can help our industry to be more competitive and climate proof. But we need to step up our efforts.

“We are just a few days away from the COP24 in Poland and there is a growing concern about rising energy consumption and the EU progress towards meeting 2020 and 2030 targets for energy efficiency.said Ms Monica Frassoni, President of the European Alliance to Save Energy We are behind the schedule to meet Paris Agreement, even if it is encouraging to see that energy efficiency is high on the political agenda. Governments like France and Germany must go ahead with a strong implementation of the directives (cfr. EED and EPBD); mainstreaming Efficiency First in the National Energy and Climate Plans; and support Paris-compliant EU-budget 2020 -2027.

Christian Noll, Managing Director of DENEFF: “The revised Directive and the new 2030 target of 32.5% increase in energy efficiency until 2030 represent a great chance for Germany, France and the whole EU to grasp the multiple benefits of energy efficiency to strengthen its economy and meet its climate targets. The federal government must reclaim its position as world champion of energy efficiency by implementing the new framework as fast and robust as possible. This should be a no-brainer for a high technology country like Germany!”.

In his remarks, Mr Sven Rösner, Director of the Franco-German Office for the Energy Transition said that energy efficiency is most importantly a substantial factor in the of limitation greenhouse gas emissions, but also – in economic terms – a great opportunity to lower expenditures on energy for private households and the industry as well as to create sustainable jobs for all types of qualifications in industries where both countries already developed strong competencies. The extension of the close cooperation between France and Germany to this context would accelerate its progress in both countries, and beyond. 

A Franco-German cooperation at national, European and international level is a driving force behind the European energy transition. As major EU economies and political players, France and Germany must lead by example and demonstrate that decarbonization is a successful model and a great opportunity to deliver modernization, innovation, digitalization and job opportunities for the future prosperity of Europe.


[1] EEA Report: Assessment on the EU’s progress on renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, November 2018,  https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/trends-and-projections-in-europe-2018-climate-and-energy

Contacts and Media Enquiries

Luigi Petito (+32 2 588 5671 / info@euase.eu) / Laura J. Bolé (+32 492 08 69 54 / lauraj.bole@euase.eu)

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