With today’s vote the European Union made an important step to secure a more affordable and climate-friendly energy system to European citizens. This new governance system introduces the Energy Efficiency First principle for the first time in the EU regulatory framework.
According to the Governance Regulation, Member States must follow a binding European template to prepare National Energy and Climate Plans by 31 December 2019, and subsequently by 1 January 2029, and every ten years thereafter.
Member states must also prepare long-term decarbonization strategies setting their policy vision until 2050.
“Despite the complexity of the discussion at Member State level, the European Parliament approved two crucial files demonstrating that there is growing understanding of the full social, economic and environmental potential of energy efficiency” said Monica Frassoni, President of the European Alliance to Save Energy, commenting on the vote – “Now, a swift, prompt, and adequate implementation at national level is needed to realize the full energy efficiency potential. Current discussions on the EU long-term decarbonization Strategy and Multiannual Financial Framework are concrete opportunities to do more, do it urgently and more decisively towards reaching the Paris agreement objective.”
“The European Parliament approved two crucial files demonstrating that there is growing understanding of the full social, economic and environmental potential of energy efficiency. Now, a swift, prompt, and adequate implementation at national level is needed to realize the full energy efficiency potential.”
Monica Frassoni, President of the European Alliance to Save Energy
Next steps
Once the Council of EU Ministers has also given its green light, the laws will be published in the EU’s Official Journal. After the publication, the Regulation on Governance will be directly applied in all EU Member States, while for the new efficiency directive, Member States will have 18 months to transpose it into their national legal systems.
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)
In a fast-changing political and economic environment, 2025 was a year of continued efforts to strengthen security, stability, and competitiveness for European businesses.
Throughout the year, our work demonstrated that energy efficiency is not only essential to achieving climate goals, but also a key driver of innovation, energy independence and sustainable long-term growth across Europe.
Strong engagement with policymakers, combined with the successful organisation of the 4th European Energy Efficiency Day, highlighted the importance of collaboration and dialogue in advancing shared objectives. Partnerships across sectors and institutions remained central to delivering impact and shaping effective energy policies.
Looking ahead to 2026, we will intensify our efforts to secure the regulatory certainty that can accelerate the energy transition, while providing businesses with the investment confidence they need and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness.
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