Energy efficiency must be considered a political priority through an EU binding target of at least 40% for 2030. This will give a clear signal to the investor community at large, and it also aligns well with the political position expressed on more than one occasion by the European Parliament and with the requirements set out by the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Such a target would generate annual savings worth €1tr-€2tr during 2020- 2030 and create between 1 and 1.5 million jobs, mostly dedicated to renovating our existing infrastructure and continuing to develop Europe’s world-leading, innovative technologies.

As part of the February 2015 Energy Union Strategy, the European Commission committed to present its long-term vision on Heating and Cooling (H&C), rightly acknowledging the potential of this sector in contributing to the transition towards a low-carbon and energy efficient economy. One year afterwards, the Commission published its Communication which is an important step in providing a holistic approach to transforming H&C in the EU.

Considering the local character and potential of H&C, EU-ASE urges Member States to develop national/sub-national strategies supported by an integrated energy system perspective at EU and national levels. EU-ASE calls on regional and local authorities to facilitate the definition of a modern urban planning to integrate cost-effective energy efficiency solutions and on site generation to modernize the building stock and decarbonize energy supply.

In this sense, EU-ASE welcomes the European Parliament’s plea for the adoption of specific sustainable H&C strategies to be developed at national level, as stated in Gierek MEP report.

The European Commission will put forward its updated vision for energy efficiency, by reviewing the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). This represents a unique opportunity for the European Union to live up its commitments taken during COP21. The European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) is therefore calling the EU to seize this opportunity and to put buildings at the center of the EU’s energy efficiency strategy, in order to deliver on its energy and climate objectives.

When reviewing the EPBD, EU-ASE is asking EU decision makers to consider the following 5 key elements:

1. Support an ambitious revision
2. Focus on existing buildings
3. Develop a 2050 vision to boost investments
4. Improve Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

5. Enhance EU’s technology leadership

The 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) (2012/27/EU) is the EU’s flagship legislation to achieve the 2020 energy efficiency target and prepare the ground for energy efficiency improvements beyond 2020. It sets a framework for EU and national energy efficiency policies and measures. Article 7 is the cornerstone article of the Directive and obliges Member States to deliver new end-use energy savings every year equivalent to 1.5% of average annual sales to final customers. Member States can achieve that by putting in place various measures, allowing flexibility for national differences. Energy Efficiency Obligation schemes are encouraged amongst other possible “alternative measures” including energy efficiency funds, energy taxes, financing schemes, fiscal incentives, and training or education programs.