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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The Net Zero Industry Act: The clean tech race is one Europe can win if it invests in Energy Efficiency First

The European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) recognizes the need for a systemic change in Europe’s industrial policy to address the climate and energy challenge while keeping Europe’s economies more competitive. In it’s urgency the Commission has overlooked a sector that is truly crucial for Europe to reach net-zero by 2050: the energy efficiency sector.

On 16 March, the European Commission tabled its Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), outlining a plan to scale up manufacturing of clean technologies in the EU to make sure the Union is well-equipped for the clean energy transition.  

In the words of European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen: “It will create the best conditions for those sectors that are crucial for us to reach net zero by 2050: technologies like wind turbines, heat pumps, solar panels, renewable hydrogen as well as CO2 storage” (1).

As the representatives of some of Europe’s leading manufacturers of energy efficiency solutions and services, the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) fully recognizes the need for a systemic change in Europe’s industrial policy to address the climate and energy challenge while keeping Europe’s economies more competitive. 

Our members have a solid and growing manufacturing footprint in Europe – they want and need to be able to rely on a future industrial framework that is accessible, stable and competitive and that drives innovation and new sustainable business models. The Net Zero Industry Act is a necessary and welcome initiative. We also recognize the urgency of the challenge, as well as the need for proposals from the European Commission.

However, in its urgency the Commission has overlooked a sector that is truly crucial for Europe to reach net-zero by 2050: the energy efficiency sector.

Read our full statement here.

 

Bibliography: (1) Net-Zero Industry Act: Making the EU the home of clean technologies manufacturing and green jobs: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/

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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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Meet the Water-Energy Nexus

We are thrilled to share our latest publication, an informative infographic highlighting the Water-Energy Nexus. In today’s climate and energy crisis, understanding the water-energy nexus is crucial for driving substantial savings in both resources while reducing emissions and enhancing European industry competitiveness.

Meet the Water-Energy Nexus infographic, developed by The European Alliance to Save Energy with the support of our members. 

Understanding the interdependent relationship between water and energy is crucial as we strive for sustainability and to combat the challenges of climate change. In these times of multiple crises, Europe is currently facing both energy and water crises. It is imperative that we join forces to address these challenges collectively. Recognizing the significance of the water-energy nexus, it is crucial for Europe to take decisive action and prioritize these issues without delay.

The infographic highlights:

– the connection between water consumption and produce energy

– the energy used to abstract and treat water

– the interlink between energy and water in sectors such as buildings and industry

This visual is a great tool to raise awareness about the water-energy nexus in relation to upcoming key moments of the ordinary legislative procedure related to:

Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)
Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD)
Nature Restoration Law (NRL)

View the full infographic here

View section 1 in detail
View section 2 in detail
View section 3 in detail

 

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Saving Water and Energy By Restoring Nature In Urban Areas: Statement on Nature Restoration Law

European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for a Nature Restoration Law and supports the ambition presented by the ENVI rapporteur in the European Parliament to increase the restoration objective and set higher targets for the restoration of terrestrial, coastal, freshwater, marine, and urban ecosystems.

Nature restoration, ecosystem degradation, and biodiversity loss are critical issues for the European Union due to their impact on the environment, human health, and the economy. It poses a significant challenge to the EU`s sustainability goals, promotion of green growth, and achievement of a climate-neutral society.

The proposal includes some provisions that can promote the realisation of the water-energy nexus i.e. the ability to simultaneously save water and energy.

EU-ASE supports Article 6 on the restoration of urban ecosystems. We also support Article 11 which proposes the introduction of National Restoration Plans.

Green urban infrastructure and permeable surfaces in cities, such as urban parks, green roofs, and green walls, can contribute to saving energy and restoring nature in cities while supporting biodiversity, improving air and water quality, and providing recreational opportunities for urban dwellers, especially in densely populated areas.

The Nature Restoration Law has a significant importance in achieving Union climate goals and should be considered as another element of the package of legislation aiming to promote the deployment of energy efficiency technologies.

Read our full statement on Nature Restoration Law here.

 

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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