Back to school with our attention on energy efficiency

“As we approach the autumn season, Europe stands on the brink of a decisive momentvwith the negotiations on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive gaining speed. Amidst this backdrop, Europe’s commitment to putting energy efficiency first is paramount,” says Luigi Petito of the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) in Foresight Climate & Energy, ahead of the second edition of European Energy Efficiency Day.

The gains made by efficiency investment outweight the upfront cost​​.

In 2019, the European Union​​ set its sights on achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This​ was put into action through ​the European Climate Law. This not only enshrined the objective within the EU’s legal framework but also charted a course for an interim target—a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by no less than 55%​ by 2030​ compared to the 1990 baseline, on the trajectory toward 2050.

​​The seismic geopolitical events of 2022, marked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have acted as a catalyst for Europe’s energy agenda. More than five hundred days since the beginning of the war, a consensus has emerged—an imperative to accelerate Europe’s transition towards decarboni​s​​ation, thereby diminishing ​Europe’s​​ reliance on fossil fuels. ​​​ 

Within this context, a response to the energy crisis materiali​s​​ed through the REPowerEU ​package​, outlining the strategic goal of liberating the EU from its dependence on Russian fossil fuels well before 2030.

Read the full article in Foresight Climate & Energy.

More information on Energy Efficiency Day here & Register here.

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Unlocking the Superpower of Buildings

“The relatively simple act of renovating residential homes with proper insulation would result in a 44% reduction in the amount of natural gas used for heating. Th​is is​ not only a substantial decrease in energy consumption, it​ i​s also a big decrease in associated carbon emissions — This is​ the superpower of buildings” says David Ducarme of Knauf Insulation in Foresight Climate & Energy, ahead of the second edition of European Energy Efficiency Day.

Europe’s built environment is the single largest consumer of energy. It is also one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2)​. But while the building stock’s carbon footprint may be big, it also has a superpower that can be unlocked using energy-efficient renovations.

For energy efficiency to be more than an after thought, it needs to be viewed as another element in the power mix. According to calculations by the Buildings Performance Institute of Europe (BPIE), the relatively simple act of renovating residential homes with proper insulation would result in a 44% reduction in the amount of natural gas used for heating.

This is not only a substantial decrease in energy consumption, it is also a big decrease in associated carbon emissions—a decrease that would help put Europe on track to becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent.  

This is the superpower of buildings. 

But unlocking this power requires policies that deliver energy efficiency, which is why the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) could not be timelier 

 

Read the full article on Foresight Climate & Energy.

More information on Energy Efficiency Day here & Register here.

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All hands-on deck: Mobilizing the EU’s cohesion policy to unlock Europe’s cities and regions’ potential to save energy (Event)

On 29 June 2023, the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) and Regione Lombardia hosted a half-day event aimed at building forward-looking partnerships between regions & business on energy efficiency. The event took place on 29 June, 10:00 – 13:45 CET (including a light lunch).

Reducing energy need is one of our greatest tools to decarbonize and optimize our energy system to accelerate the integration of renewables, phase out fossil fuels and achieve the EU’s medium (2030) and long term (2050) energy and climate objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is also one of our most effective defenses to abate the impact of high energy bills for European households and businesses.

It is in Europe’s cities and regions where much of the necessary climate action can and needs to take place. This is why the at least 30% of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 37% of the EU’s Cohesion Fund is dedicated to climate action, aligning with 2030 and 2050 energy and climate objectives. Energy efficiency, and achieving at least 30% in improvements, is a key priority for these funds, with significant financial support available to regions and local authorities for efficiency projects in key sectors: from public buildings and social housing to industrial plants and supporting local businesses.

Spent well, the funds will be a powerful lever to stimulate long-term private investment and build a solid skill base in Europe’s regions, but to realize the potential we need all hands on deck.

This half-day event:

  • United Europe’s regions and businesses, along with key representatives from the European Institutions, to look at how the EU’s Cohesion policy can be leveraged to support energy efficiency projects across Europe’s regions. 
  • Provided a platform for regions to share successful experiences and shed light on some of the challenges at regional level. 
  • Enabled Europe’s businesses and leading energy efficiency solution providers to demystify some of the technologies available for qualitative and quantitative savings, monitoring and measurement. 
  • Created a positive platform to connect the business community and regional actors and create new long-term partnerships to accelerate Cohesion supported energy efficiency projects at regional level. 

We learned that:

  • The EU has a solid regulatory framework for energy efficiency in Europe – we need now to go into this toolbox and collectively put everything we can into energy efficiency.
  • “Money is not the problem” – never before has there been so much support and funding at EU and local level for energy efficiency.
  • Public authorities need support to be able to help deliver energy efficiency in the regions – we need to work together to boost skills, provide technical assistance, develop public private partnerships and value chains around the renovation wave.
  • Measurement is absolutely key – both in terms of ensuring that we are delivering the potential and to build trust.
  • The solutions already exist and are ready “off the shelves”, businesses are ready to support local and regional authorities to address the challenges and to find the best technical solutions to their specific needs.
  • Regions are committed and are already planning many initiatives to deliver energy efficiency in buildings and in industrial processes. There are some very promising results in terms of improvements in performance, but some challenges still need to be addressed to improve the quality and quantity of expenditure. 

Event speakers:

  • Opening remarks: Raffaele Cattaneo, Undersecretary for International and EU Affairs, Regione Lombardia 
  • Personal video address: Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms
  • Paula Pinho, Director, Directorate-General ENERGY, European Commission
  • Nicola de Michelis, Director Smart & Sustainable Growth, Programme Implementation, DG REGIO 
  • Valentina Sachero, Implementation of Regional & European Measures on Energy, Environmental & Climate Programming, Regional Ministry for Environment & Climate, Regione Lombardia
  • Quentin Galland, Group Public & Regulatory Affairs Director, Knauf Insulation
  • Mario Giordano, Head of Public & Government Affairs in Italy; Head of Project Specification, Signify
  • Andrea Voigt, Head of Global Public Affairs, Danfoss Climate Solutions 
  • Caroline Simpson, Renovate Europe Campaign Manager

View full agenda here

Watch the opening remarks by the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.

Watch the full event video.

How are DG REGIO & DG ENER working together to ensure EU Member States understand the opportunities to deliver energy efficiency projects using EU funding?

How does DG REGIO intend to further boost energy efficiency projects in the regions through Cohesion Funding in the next period?

What kind of funds are available for regions to support energy efficiency projects?

Which are the energy efficiency technologies that can be implemented by regions to support the energy transition and how can we monitor them?

How does DG REGIO intend to further boost energy efficiency projects in the regions through Cohesion Funding in the next period?

What kind of funds are available for regions to support energy efficiency projects?

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To deliver the ambition of new energy efficiency directives

Switching all conventional light points to LEDs is one of the easiest, quickest and most cost-effective ways of reducing energy consumption, says Alice Steenland from Signify says Alice Steenland of Signify in Foresight Climate & Energy ahead of the second edition of European Energy Efficiency Day.

A simple change can make a big difference.

Simply swapping conventional lights for LED alternatives can reduce lighting-related energy usage by 50% or more. With smart lighting management in place, energy savings can approach 80% over conventional technology.

In Europe, half of all currently installed lights, residential and commercial combined, are conventional. This represents an enormous opportunity. Replacing all conventional lights in the EU with LED alternatives could save an estimated €65 billion in energy costs, depending on energy rates, and could reduce CO2 emissions by 51 million tonnes—not just once, but every single year.

 

Read the full article on Foresight Climate & Energy.

More information on Energy Efficiency Day here & Register here.

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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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