Future of the Energy Union: bringing the transformative potential of energy efficiency in the National Energy and Climate Plans

As EU member states prepare to submit their revised National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) to the European Commission on 30 June, they must pay greater attention to energy efficiency, writes EU-ASE President Monica Frassoni in Euractiv.

A future energy system must be highly energy and resource efficient, based on renewables, secure, competitive, affordable and of course, safe. One that can respond to the climate, energy and water crises that increasingly perturb our economy and create social tensions.

Reducing energy needs and doing this through ready-to-use technologies and a system approach is key to success of Europe’s future energy union and the Green Deal. The Energy Efficiency community needs therefore to have a regular seat at the table.

This is not always the case.

 

Read the full article byMonica Frassoni in Euractiv.

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EU-ASE at high-level conference: Looking at the future of the Energy Union, beyond the crisis

On Tuesday 20 April 2023, EU-ASE President Monica Frassoni participated in the Future of the Energy Union: Looking beyond the crisis, organised by Cabinet Kadri Simson.

Commissioner for energy, Kadri Simson, hosted this high-level conference on the future of the Energy Union, drawing lessons from the energy crisis and reflecting on the way forward for EU energy policy.

The aim of the event was to exchange on a future design of the governance of the Energy Union and the preparation of energy related elements in the upcoming updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). It was an occasion to take stock of the lessons learned from the energy crisis and to discuss how the increased need for energy security, a resilient EU energy system and ambitious energy targets can be reflected in the governance mechanism and the NECPs.

EU-ASE President Monica Frassoni highlighted the need for an energy system that is highly energy and resource efficient, based on renewables, that is secure, competitive, affordable and safe. A system that is able to respond to the climate, energy and water crisis that perturb our economy and create social unrest.

Overall, energy efficiency is one of our greatest tools to decarbonize our global economy and optimize our energy system, however we choose to design that system in the future.

We call member states to take energy efficiency in high consideration when preparing NECPs due by June 2023.

Thank you to Cabinet Simson for organising this timely initiative.

Find more information about the Future of the Energy Union: Looking beyond the crisis.

 

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The water-energy nexus: connecting water saving, energy efficiency and the reduction of emissions.

Water and energy are probably two of the most essential, interlinked, and precious resources in our daily lives. In our current climate and energy crisis, unleashing the potential of the water-energy nexus will drive substantial water and energy savings, reducing emissions and increase the competitiveness of European industry, says Monica Frassoni in the Spring 2023 issue of European Energy Innovation Magazine.

The great thing is that we already have the technologies and solutions to simultaneously save water and energy.  A strong policy framework is needed to incentivise water and energy efficiency and enable the deployment at scale of these solutions. The water-energy nexus should be better reflected in legislation, and lawmakers should fully consider the benefits stemming from water efficiency as a key driver to delivering energy savings.  

 

Read the full article byMonica Frassoni in European Energy Innovation Magazine. 

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EED recast: Binding energy efficiency target fills a gap in the Union’s climate toolbox, but too much flexibility is given to Member States

Download the full press release here.

 

Media contact:
Luigi Petito 
Head of Secretariat 
info@euase.eu 

Matteo Guidi
Policy Advisor
matteo.guidi@euase.eu
+32 493372142

About us
The European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) is a cross-sectoral, business-led organisation that ensures that the voice of energy efficiency is heard across Europe. EU-ASE members have operations across the 27 Member States of the European Union, employ over 340.000 people in Europe and have an aggregated annual turnover of €115 billion.

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EPBD recast: EU-ASE calls on MEPs to green-light ITRE compromise proposal

In view of the plenary vote in the European Parliament on the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), EU-ASE addressed MEPs in an open letter calling them to confirm the text recently adopted by the ITRE Committee and supported by the main political groups and progressive stakeholders.

The EPBD is a crucial element to make the EU building stock efficient, sustainable and healthy. From a socio-economic perspective, it will drive sustainable growth and job creation in the construction sector, one of the most dynamic of our economy. The broadly supported compromise proposal recently adopted by the ITRE Committee is an important step in the right direction.

As EU-ASE, we support the introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for public, commercial and residential buildings. MEPS, with clear targets for the different building segments, are critical to provide predictability to the sector and allow businesses to effectively plan their investments (including the financial sector).

The ITRE compromise adds a derogation (Article 9, 1c) allowing Member States to adjust minimum energy performance standards for residential buildings and publicly owned social housing. Such derogation leaves enough leeway for the Member States and cannot be expanded further without jeopardising the implementation of MEPS.

As a complementary step, it is essential to ensure the harmonisation of energy performance classes (EPC) across Member States, overcoming the current system of different thresholds based on national criteria, which creates enormous comparability issues. Defining the worst-performing 15% of each Member State’s building stock as class G is a good step towards further harmonisation. At the same time, further efforts will be needed to ensure the convergence of the EPC scale.

We support the agreed timelines to ensure that all new buildings are Zero-Emission Buildings, starting from new buildings occupied, operated or owned by public authorities. As public buildings represent 5% to 10% of the EU energy consumption, their contribution to achieving an efficient and decarbonised building stock is crucial. The public sector must showcase the benefits of energy savings to citizens and stimulate investments in the renovation market.

Read the full letter here

Read more on our position on the EPBD recast.

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