Press releases
EPBD recast: EU Commission proposal shows good intentions but low ambition
The recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is a key element to complete the “Fit for 55” package. The Commission’s proposal introduces better measures and tools to increase the rate and depth of building renovations. However, the overall ambition is not sufficient to tap the economic and environmental potential of the full...
Commission strengthens EU energy efficiency rules, lacks ambition on targets
The European Commission unveiled today its “Fit for 55” package to adapt the EU’s energy and climate legislation to the new goals of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050. The package includes the key proposal to revise the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). The EED proposal contains a number of positive...
10 years and going strong! Celebrating the first decade of EU-ASE
2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE). EU-ASE was established at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP16) held in Cancun, Mexico, in December 2010. Over the last decade, it has grown to become one of the most influential business-led organisations on energy efficiency in Brussels. Our vision...
Broad coalition calls on EU not to rely on hydrogen to decarbonise buildings
33 businesses, industry associations, NGOs, and think tanks joined forces to urge the European Commission to prioritise available efficient and sustainable solutions to decarbonise Europe’s building stock, and avoid the direct use of hydrogen. Addressing EU Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans in an open letter, the co-signatories...
Renovation Wave focuses on energy efficiency, minimum standards and finance
The European Commission unveiled today its much-anticipated Renovation Wave initiative. The strategy outlines the steps needed to renovate more than 220 million existing buildings by 2050. It also calls for the EU to at least double the current annual rate of buildings energy efficiency renovation by 2030 and to foster deep energy renovations....
European Parliament push for 60% climate target is good news also for businesses
The European Parliament voted to increase the EU emissions reduction target by 2030 to at least 60% as part of the EU Climate Law. By doing so, the Parliament adopted a position that is more ambitious than the Commission’s 55% reduction proposal. This is good news for the EU’s climate ambition and international leadership in a decade which will...
Higher EU emissions cut for 2030 is right signal for a green recovery
On Wednesday 16 September, during her State of the Union speech, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan to propose an increased GHG emissions reduction target of at least 55% by 2030 against 1990 levels. The European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) welcomes this decision, which comes at a crucial time for implementing...
EU summit deal is good news for Europe’s recovery, but clearer rules are needed on climate conditionality
On Tuesday 21 July, after one of the longest summits in the European Union’s history EU Heads of State and Government stroke a deal on the recovery plan and multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. The European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) welcomes this historic result at a time when it is crucial to ensure Europe’s swift...
EU-ASE welcomes strong reference to ‘Efficiency first’ in Energy System Integration Strategy, calls for limited role of green hydrogen in hard-to-decarbonise sectors
Brussels, 8 July 2020 – Today the European Commission presented its proposals for the EU strategies for energy system integration and hydrogen. The Energy System Integration Strategy sets out a vision on how to accelerate the transition towards a more integrated energy strategy, supporting full decarbonisation at the least cost across sectors....
German Council presidency should straighten out its energy priorities and include building renovations
Today the German Government unveiled its EU Council Presidency priorities which lack a clear reference to the building renovation. As businesses and investors having energy efficiency and energy demand reduction at the heart of our activities, we believe that the German government lost a great opportunity to prioritise a sector which, more than...