Pacchetto legislativo “Clean Energy for All Europeans”, Direttiva Efficienza Energetica: osservazioni sulla posizione espressa dal governo italiano al Consiglio informale dei Ministri dell’energia, Malta 18/19 maggio 2017.

Egregio Ministro,

Oggetto: Pacchetto legislativo “Clean Energy for All Europeans”, Direttiva Efficienza Energetica: osservazioni sulla posizione espressa dal governo italiano al Consiglio informale dei Ministri dell’energia , Malta 18/19 maggio 2017. 

Con la presente, vorremmo esprimere la nostra preoccupazione sulla posizione assunta dall’Italia rispetto all’Art.7 della Direttiva Europea sull’Efficienza Energetica (DEE).

La European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) e’ un’associazione europea multisettoriale. Tra i membri di EU-ASE vi sono alcune rilevanti imprese multinazionali che impiegano collettivamente 340.000 persone nei 28 Stati membri dell’Unione Europea e generano un fatturato congiunto di circa €115 miliardi di Euro; ne fanno parte anche alcune importanti organizzazioni della società civile e un gruppo di deputati europei di diversa estrazione politica.

Come lei sa, questi sono mesi importanti per la definizione della politica energetica europea ed italiana. La Presidenza maltese del Consiglio dei Ministri della UE ha intenzione di decidere entro giugno la posizione comune sulla DEE e sulla direttiva sulla prestazione energetica nell’edilizia. Si tratta di due direttive veramente importanti per assicurare che la UE sia nelle condizioni di rispettare gli impegni presi a Parigi e allo stesso tempo rilanciare occupazione e attività economica. In questo contesto, ci siamo permessi di scriverLe nelle scorse settimane e il 29 maggio prossimo una delegazione composta dai dirigenti della imprese membri di EU-ASE incontrerà a Roma il Dott. Napoletano e la Dott.ssa Romano, nell’attesa di poterLa incontrare direttamente in una prossima occasione.

Al Consiglio Informale dei Ministri dell’Energia del 18 e 19 Maggio scorso, abbiamo appreso di una proposta Italiana sull’art. 7 della direttiva sull’EE, che ha lo scopo di ridurne radicalmente il livello di ambizione attuale, già modesto, portando gli obiettivi di risparmio da conseguire annualmente da parte degli utenti finali dall’1,5% all’1% dopo il 2025.

L’intenzione dichiarata è quella di evitare che un target troppo ambizioso possa mettere in pericolo la crescita economica. Ci permettiamo di osservare che, lungi da determinare un ostacolo per la crescita, una politica ambiziosa in materia di efficienza energetica può avere importanti ricadute positive in materia di occupazione e attività economica, come peraltro riconosciuto nella recente presentazione della SEN al Senato. Le disposizioni contenute nell’art.7, soprattutto se rese più complete e più facilmente applicabili, rappresentano un tassello fondamentale di un quadro normativo coerente in grado di facilitare la riduzione della dipendenza energetica italiana e stimolare investimenti privati e pubblici, in particolare nei settori dei trasporti, dell’industria e nell’ambito delle tecnologie, dei materiali e dei servizi per l’edilizia. Nel settore dell’edilizia, considerato che due terzi degli edifici esistenti sono stati costruiti prima del 1976, ovvero prima della prima legge sull’efficientamento energetico, il potenziale in termini di miglioramento della loro qualità energetica é enorme.

Insomma, rivedere gli obblighi al ribasso significa mandare un segnale negativo a investitori e consumatori e rallentare ulteriormente la necessaria azione per ridurre il consumo energetico che resta urgente anche in Italia. Infatti, benché l’intensità energetica italiana sia minore rispetto alla media comunitaria, questo dato va preso con cautela perché è riconducibile alle particolari condizioni climatiche di cui beneficia il paese e ai consumi di un parco automobilistico di cilindrata complessivamente inferiore rispetto alle altre grandi economie europee. Inoltre, i dati sull’intensità energetica negli edifici ci dicono che la situazione, tra il 2000 e il 2013, é di fatto peggiorata rispetto agli altri paesi europei.

Quindi resta ancora molto da fare; esistono ingenti risorse europee e una grande disponibilità di investimenti privati in questo settore. Per questo, abbiamo considerato importante la lettera sottoscritta dal governo italiano con la Spagna e altri paesi, volta ad ottenere una modifica nelle regole contabili del Patto di stabilità e a fare sì che spese incorse a favore dell’efficienza energetica possano stare fuori dal calcolo della spesa pubblica. Questa iniziativa è vista con favore dalla Commissione europea e dal Parlamento Europeo. Ma se si dovessero diluire gli impegni per l’attuazione di norme vincolanti, nell’ambito di una strategia di lungo periodo, sarebbe più difficile ottenere un ridefinizione virtuosa delle regole attuali.

In una situazione nella quale il Consiglio è attraversato da molte divisioni, ci preoccupa il fatto che questa proposta possa ulteriormente indebolire il quadro legislativo comune: infatti, già oggi la normativa prevede una serie di eccezioni, come ad esempio l’esclusione dei trasporti, che hanno di fatto ridotto della metà il potenziale di riduzione dei consumi energetici che avrebbe dovuto essere generato dall’Art. 7.

Egregio Ministro, alla luce di tutto ciò, la invitiamo a rivedere posizioni che indeboliscono l’impianto generale della DEE e che possano avere ricadute negative sull’economia italiana.

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Energy poverty and air quality: top executives highlight to the Polish Government how EU energy efficiency directives can help solve these social and environmental issues

Warsaw, 23 May 2017 — Polish business representatives who are members of the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE), met today with the Undersecretary of State from the Polish Ministry for Energy, Mr. Michał Kurtyka, to urge the Government to grasp the full social, environmental and economic potentials that can be derived from the current revisions of key EU energy efficiency directives.

Because of its key role among Visegrad countries and in the Council, the position of the Polish Government influences the ambition of the revisions of both the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which are currently being analysed by Member States. The meeting with the Undersecretary of State takes place one month before the last Energy Council under the Maltese EU Presidency, which is trying to seal an agreement on the EED and EPBD files on 26 June.

Ahead of today’s meeting, Monica Frassoni, EU-ASE President, said: “In Poland, our companies have production sites which create hundreds of local jobs, stimulate exports and contribute to national economic growth. Energy efficiency is a business opportunity that needs to be boosted by a cost-effective EU binding target of 40% for 2030 to guarantee security for private and public investments. Energy efficiency also provides the answer to two major political problems in Poland: energy poverty and air quality.

Energy poverty in Poland concerns 9.6% of households (approximately 4.4 million people), largely due to the low energy efficiency of buildings. With regard to air quality, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a staggering 33 out of the 50 most polluted cities in Europe are in Poland. This is due to the fact that the Polish energy mix relies mostly on coal, the main energy source, which generates more than 80% of the national electricity and is also used to heat homes. This coal use has led to very high levels of harmful pollutants, especially when temperatures drop in winter.

Ahead of today’s meeting, that took place at the Ministry of the Treasury in Warsaw, Bogdan Ślęk, Government Affairs Director, CEE Lighting, Philips Lighting Poland, said: “We count on the Polish government to secure an ambitious EU Energy Package, driving growth and innovation in Europe. Technology is available today. For example, switching to connected lighting systems in buildings can save up to 80% of electricity used.

Adam Jedrzejczak, Regional CEO, Danfoss, added: “Today, the economic cost of energy consumption in Poland related to buildings sector exceeds 70 bn PLN which represents about 4% of GDP annual. This shows what great potential for the Polish economy can be released by introducing energy efficiency technologies in this sector. The revision of the EPBD is a unique opportunity to reduce the energy demand of the building stock and improve air quality at the same time. A priority is to tap into the enormous potential that lies in the control of energy flows inside buildings.

Business representatives highlighted to Mr. Kurtyka key policy recommendations as identified by EU-ASE companies in a Position Paper on the Clean Energy for All Europeans package and the revisions of both EED and EPBD, which are intended to inform policy-makers throughout the co-decision procedure.

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EU-ASE at the Informal Energy Council

Valletta, 18 May 2017 — At the Informal Energy Council in Malta today, top executives of leading companies urged EU Energy Ministers to increase ambition on energy efficiency. Member States are currently discussing the European Commission’s proposals for a Clean Energy Package, which includes proposals for a binding EU energy efficiency target.

At the opening session of the meeting, business representatives from the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) urged Energy Ministers to keep the binding nature of the EU energy efficiency target for 2030, increase the level of ambition towards a 40% energy efficiency target and underpin it by dedicated policies and measures, without which an optimal framework for enhanced energy efficiency cannot be created. They also expressed concern on the recent proposals aiming at further weakening binding provisions aimed at achieving 1,5% saving annually among end-users (art.7), which would have very important consequences in terms of increased gas imports and costs for households.

While presenting cost-effective investments in energy efficiency, senior business representatives from Danfoss, Knauf Insulation, Philips Lighting, and Schneider Electric emphasised to Energy Ministers that the current revisions of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), both of which are included in the package, offer a unique opportunity to create a unique framework to drive economic market growth and job creation in the European Union. Energy Ministers were urged to carefully assess the social, political, economic and environmental potentials of key provisions in the directives under review.

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Top executives call on Energy Ministers to resist proposals lowering ambition in key revisions of energy efficiency directives

Valletta, 18 May 2017 — At the Informal Energy Council in Malta today, top executives of leading companies urged EU Energy Ministers to increase ambition on energy efficiency. Member States are currently discussing the European Commission’s proposals for a Clean Energy Package, which includes proposals for a binding EU energy efficiency target.

At the opening session of the meeting, business representatives from the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) urged Energy Ministers to keep the binding nature of the EU energy efficiency target for 2030, increase the level of ambition towards a 40% energy efficiency target and underpin it by dedicated policies and measures, without which an optimal framework for enhanced energy efficiency cannot be created. They also expressed concern on the recent proposals aiming at further weakening binding provisions aimed at achieving 1,5% saving annually among end-users (art.7), which would have very important consequences in terms of increased gas imports and costs for households.

While presenting cost-effective investments in energy efficiency, senior business representatives from Danfoss, Knauf Insulation, Philips Lighting and Schneider Electric emphasised to Energy Ministers that the current revisions of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), both of which are included in the package, offer a unique opportunity to create a unique framework to drive economic market growth and job creation in the European Union. Energy Ministers were urged to carefully assess the social, political, economic and environmental potentials of key provisions in the directives under review.

Ahead of his speech, Harry Verhaar, Chairman of the EU-ASE Board and Head of Global Public & Government Affairs at Philips Lighting, said: “Our message is straightforward. There is no technology gap. There is no lack of services. There are business models that already exist to make cost-effective investments in energy efficiency, but many of these businesses are still waiting on the sidelines. If Europe is serious about reducing energy demand and creating a market for innovative solutions and services, then it needs to get serious about its commitment. And that means an ambitious EU binding target and dedicated policies. Existing buildings have a major potential: 75% of them are energy inefficient, they are the largest energy consumer, absorbing 40% of final energy, and currently only 0.4–1.2% of the stock is renovated each year. Both EED and EPBD can change the status quo if there is a strong political will.” 

On behalf of Danfoss, Ernesto Ubieto, President of the South European Region, said: “The EPBD revision presents a unique opportunity to reap the enormous energy savings potential that lies in the control of energy flows inside buildings. A recent study released by Ecofys shows that the final energy demand of buildings can be reduced by 30% by optimising technical building systems, with short pay back times. We urge policy makers to have the political courage needed to address current market failures.

Jure Šumi, Business Development Director Green Solutions, Knauf Insulation said: “There are so many measures that homeowners and businesses can take to save energy and reduce their environmental footprint. One of the most effective and interesting ways of doing this is through green roofs. Because roofs are the sites of the greatest building heat loss in winter and the hottest temperatures in summer, green roofs help to keep in heat and keep out cold. They have many other benefits, too, including noise reduction, improved storm water management and improved air quality in cities. They also look fantastic.

Business representatives also backed introductory remarks by the European Commissioner for Climate Action & Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete, who defended the vision, ambition and coherence of the Commission’s proposals on EED and EPBD revisions presented on 30 November 2016.

The Informal High-Level Meeting on Energy Efficiency in the Mediterranean is taking place in the Grand Master’s Palace, Valletta (Malta) on 18 and 19 May. This two-day meeting gathers Energy Ministers and their delegations from the 43 States of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), i.e. EU28, North Africa and Mediterranean Middle East. It is co-organised by the European Commission (DG ENER and EEAS), the UfM, the Maltese EU Presidency and the Kingdom of Jordan.

Earlier this year, EU-ASE members issued a Position Paper with their views on the Clean Energy for All Europeans package and specific policy recommendations on the EED and EPBD.

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