Businesses, authorities, and civil society call for ambitious Fit for 55 package

(eceee news, 24 Jun 2022) In a statement and joint letter to European leaders the Coalition for Higher Ambition, where eceee is member, calls to step up climate ambition by tackling energy security, energy poverty and climate crisis at the same time.

This should be done by supporting a green, sustainable, regionally balanced and socially fair energy transition and mobilising existing EU and national funds towards this purpose, according to the Coalition for Higher Ambition, suggesting recommendations to feed into the Fit for 55 debate. They include:

  • The Fit for 55 package must enable the EU to achieve at least - and possibly go beyond - a 55% net GHG emission reduction by 2030 (compared to 1990s levels) to fulfil Europe’s commitments under the European Climate Law and the Paris Agreement.
  • Every  support should be provided to increase ambition and implementation of energy files, particularly in relation to the Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Energy Performance of Building Directives. 
  • Ambitious European climate and energy targets and clear communication on mature renewable and energy efficient technologies will constitute important signals to investors, allowing them to support the transition.
  • Repower EU should prioritise phasing out dependence on fossil fuels in general and not only from Russia. It is necessary to have an energy diversification away from fossil fuels.
  • A flexible, renewable-based, and smart system integration of all end-use sectors (transport, buildings, industry and heating & cooling) must be further promoted by relying on the active contribution of consumers.
  • We should transform our energy system, people should be able to participate by becoming prosumers and by activating their potential for demand reduction through behavioural changes and efficiency, as well as demand-side flexibility.

To strengthen the social and labour dimension of the European Green Deal, the Coalition suggests support low-income households, increasing of acceleration of new labour skills for energy efficiency improvements in improvements in buildings, heating and cooling systems and renewable energy projects.

The Coaltion of Higher Ambition also call on the Commission and Member States to ensure that national, local and regional EU funding work together to coherently support the much needed green energy transition.

View the statement here