Open letter: EU Taxonomy should recognise key role to increase energy efficiency of electrical and industrial solutions

In response to the Platform on Sustainable Finance’s consultation on preliminary recommendations for technical screening criteria for the EU taxonomy, the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) addressed in an open letter the European Commission asking to recognise the key enabling role to increase energy efficiency of electrical and industrial solutions.

The letter says:

In May 2018, the European Commission published its action plan on sustainable finance which, among other elements, included a proposal to create a unified EU classification system (EU Taxonomy). We support this initiative that will provide greater clarity to investors on what can be genuinely considered sustainable economic activities. In order to fully deliver on the goals of the taxonomy, its technical screening criteria must include all the most beneficial and sustainable solutions available on the market.

Electrical equipment and industrial automation equipment and systems are key enabling technologies to deliver on energy efficiency and electrification. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the electrification of heating, transport and industry is essential, and the share of electricity should reach at least 60% in 2050 to keep global warming well below 1.5 °C.

Electrical equipment which helps control, command and optimise the electricity system is crucial because it improves energy efficiency, streamlines energy demand and supply, and supports the integration of renewable energies. Currently, there are about 8 billion electric motors in use in the EU, consuming nearly 50% of the electricity produced in the Union. Thanks to industrial automation technologies such as variable speed drives, highly efficient contactors and industrial control and automation, it is possible to achieve significant energy savings. For example, in Germany, demand-driven automation technology could deliver additional energy savings of between 10 % and 25 % in machines and plants.

For the reasons exposed above, we believe that it is essential that the EU taxonomy rightly recognises the enabling role of this industry for climate change mitigation, and we stress that:

  1. The full chain of electrical equipment from high voltage, medium voltage and low voltage should be covered in the manufacturing section, ensuring a comprehensive approach
  2. The enabling role of the electrical equipment as a system should be captured as a system. So, the eligible equipment should not be limited only to connected ones, missing other pieces needed to make the full system work.
  3. Industrial automation equipment and solutions should be included in the manufacturing section, either with a dedicated section or under the same section than electrical equipment.

 

Read the full letter here

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Open letter: EU Taxonomy to deliver economic recovery, resilience and sustainability

In response to the European Commission’s consultation on the draft delegated acts for the EU Taxonomy Regulation, EU-ASE has addressed in an open letter the Commission Vice-Presidents Frans Timmermans and Valdis Dombrovskis.

EU-ASE calls on the European Commission to ensure that the taxonomy will play a key role in aligning public and private investments to deliver economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as resilience and long-term sustainability.

To achieve this goal, we believe that the EU Taxonomy should be developed to exclusively promote investments which help us to address the economic, health, environmental and social consequences of climate changes, especially on the young and future generations.

Moreover, the technical screening criteria should systematically factor energy efficiency considerations in the qualification of sustainable activities. This approach should encompass a broad range of economic activities including buildings’ construction, renovation and management, all products manufacturing, and services, in particular energy services.

 

Read the full letter here

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EU-ASE at Citizens’ Energy Forum 2020

On 19 November EU-ASE president Monica Frassoni participated in a panel discussion on “How to finance the clean energy transition in order to maximise benefits to all citizens” in the framework of the 12th edition of the Citizens’ Energy Forum, hosted by the European Commission DG Energy.

This session focused on the significant investment needed to achieve climate neutrality and how the Green Deal is also a clear priority as part of the recovery plan. In particular, it aimed to identify high potential financing opportunities in sustainable energy projects, technologies and market solutions that bring direct benefit to citizens and their local areas while contributing to climate neutrality.

In her intervention, Monica Frassoni highlighted how investing in energy efficient building renovations can greatly benefit European citizens and local areas by reducing energy bills, improving health and air quality, while contributing to climate neutrality.

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