EU-ASE co-signs Letter Calling on the EU to Set a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target of at least 90% by 2040

CEOs, business leaders and investors from over 100 organisations have signed a joint letter calling on the EU to set a greenhouse emissions reduction target of at least 90% by 2040. Signatories stress that a robust target will bring economic opportunities and competitiveness benefits while increasing energy security for citizens and businesses. We argue that the target, and climate more broadly, should be considered as a central element of the EU’s overall strategy to achieve these objectives.

21 March 2024 – This month, a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) highlighted that climate risks have reached critical levels and 2023 is now the hottest year since records began. On 25 March, Environment and Climate Ministers are set to discuss the EU’s 2040 climate target at the Council. As a result, over 90 businesses and investors from across the EU, representing more than a million employees and managing trillions of euros in assets, have joined forces to call for an ambitious target. At least 90% of greenhouse gas emissions must be cut by this date, to reflect the urgency of the climate crisis.

Signatories emphasise that a robust target, backed by a smart coherent package of supporting policies will decarbonise our economies. It will also ensure that we drive innovation and economic opportunities. This target will enable the creation of high quality jobs and cost savings that citizens rightly expect, while improving the health and well-being of its people.

The letter establishes principles for the economic transformation that will be necessary to achieve the target – and for a climate neutral EU in the longer term. These principles include developing a comprehensive industrial strategy, guided by a ‘competitive sustainability’ approach, accelerating the clean energy transition and efficiency, phasing out fossil fuels, nature-positive investment and harnessing the decarbonisation potential of the circular economy. 

 

Read the full letter here.

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Joint Letter on Water Resilience Initiative

The European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE), part of a broad coalition of European organisations, calls on the European Commission to deliver the Water Resilience Initiative as soon as possible as a first step towards an ambitious water strategy for Europe. 

March 11, Brussels – Today, a diverse coalition of European organisations has joined forces to call upon the European Commission to deliver the Water Resilience Initiative as soon as possible, marking a crucial first step towards an ambitious water strategy for Europe.

In an open letter addressed to the European Commission, the coalition emphasises the indispensable need for a water-resilient Europe in light of the escalating pressures on the continent’s freshwater resources, intensified by the impacts of climate change. The coalition stresses that water stands at the centre of the economic, societal, and environmental sustainability of Europe. As such, the Water Resilience Initiative is seen as imperative to provide European socio-economic actors with a competitive edge, while ensuring the availability of water resources of the highest quality at the right time.

Over the past five years, European institutions have diligently updated the European water acquis to confront emerging challenges head-on. A consensus has emerged among European Member States and institutions, highlighting the urgent need for a cohesive and comprehensive water strategy. Notably, resolutions from the European Council in 2021 and 2023 underscored the strategic significance of water and the imperative for decisive action. Bold commitments on water were submitted to the UN 2023 Water Conference, demonstrating Europe’s dedication to global leadership in water management.

These cannot be delivered without the Water Resilience Initiative that was announced in the State of the Union speech in September 2023. With Europe positioned to lead by example, the coalition urges the European Commission to stick to its commitment and swiftly deliver the Water Resilience Initiative, making water a top priority for the next mandate of the European Commission.

 

 Read the full letter here.

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Enhancing EU security & resilience via energy efficiency: 2023 in review

The EU-ASE 2023 Activity Report delves into the advocacy and outreach efforts of the European Alliance to Save Energy, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in the EU’s energy policies and integrating the water-energy nexus into mainstream considerations.

2023 can be viewed as a continuation of the previous one, marked by escalating geopolitical issues and an energy crisis. Throughout the year, EU-ASE actively implemented its workplan by significantly contributing to energy efficiency debates and participating in ongoing negotiations on legislative dossiers.

We also organized the second edition of the European Energy Efficiency Day, bringing together high-profile speakers who contributed to discussions on energy efficiency in buildings, industrial ecosystems, and the electricity market. The event also delved into the skills agenda within the sector.

We continued our work on the implementation of a work programme which was structured around the main objectives of:

  • Boosting energy efficiency through EU policy and regulatory framework
  • Unleashing the energy savings potential of water efficiency in EU legislation
  • Smart, digital, and effective communication to achieve advocacy objectives

Read the full report here.

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Coalition for Higher Ambition Rallies Broad Support for a Science-Based 2040 Climate Target

Today, the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE), as a part of the Coalition for higher Ambition (HAC), co-signed a letter addressed to the Presidents of the three main institutions of the EU and Ministers of the Belgian Presidency. The letter calls for the proposal of a EU 2040 climate target of at least 90% net emission reductions, compared to 1990 levels, aligning with the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change’s (ESABCC) advice to achieve a net emission reduction of 90% to 95% by 2040.

Current plans from countries to reduce emissions mark an alarming global ambition gap 2 to meet the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement, and all Parties need to step up their efforts, in view of their respective historical responsibility in causing the climate crisis and their capacity to act upon it. The outcome of COP28 signals that the direction of travel is moving away from fossil fuels; it is now up to countries to translate this commitment into national targets and measures aligned with science that deliver on the 1.5°C temperature goal in an equitable manner.

“The diversity, size and collective expertise of the coalition calling for a science-based target is telling,” says Chiara Martinelli, Director, CAN Europe. “High ambition now can bring about a green and just transformation across sectors – resulting in job creation, economic opportunities, improved public health, poverty reduction, social protections, natural resource preservation and energy security, well before 2040”.

Monica Frassoni, President of EU-ASE, states:
‘As the champions of the energy efficiency ecosystem, we fully support the call for a more ambitious EU emission reduction goal. Urging the Commission to keep up its ambition, we echo the advice of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040. Let’s infuse every corner of industry with the ‘Energy Efficiency First’ vibe – it’s the EU’s time to make a splash!’

Read the full letter here.

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EU-ASE signs joint statement on the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive

The European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) has co-signed a letter urging the EU institutions to adopt an ambitious Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD)! The UWWTD, after three decades of dormancy, makes a step towards a collective commitment to a sustainable and resilient future.

We call the policy-makers upon for:

  • Ensuring coherent rules across the EU without exemptions for selected Member States or regions, avoiding further delays for coastal regions;
  • Maintaining 100,000 p.e. as the threshold for intermediary targets for tertiary and quaternary treatment and ensure that quaternary treatment is installed by 2035;
  • Ensuring a timely introduction of integrated urban wastewater management plans that prioritise green and blue infrastructure to climate-proof cities and reduce pollution from urban wastewaters and runoffs;
  • Setting up an obligation to communicate in real time any information on the risk of pollution that could have an impact on aquaculture farmers, drinking water suppliers and other legitimate users;
  • Establish an obligation to make publicly available the Integrated Urban Wastewater Management Plans and the results of the risk assessments;
  • A return to the Commission’s proposal (as amended by the EP and Council) that the wastewater sector produces renewable energy on or offsite, to be consumed on or offsite that cover by 2040 100% of this sector’s energy consumption, to ensure that the EU reaches climateneutrality by 2050;
  • The new Directive must be a signal and a tool to implement the circular economy for water,
    energy and materials throughout EU territories.

In collaboration with 18 organisations, we call for an ambitious agreement on UWWTD during the upcoming trilogue meeting on 29 January!

 

Read the full letter here.

 

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