New analysis: Member States must do more to meet 2030 EU energy efficiency target

(eceee news, 1 Feb 2019) A new assessment by the Coalition for Energy Savings of draft national energy and climate plans shows that Member States’ contributions fall short of achieving the EU 2030 energy efficiency target. “Member States have pledged low on energy efficiency”, the Coalition says.

By the end of 2019, Member States are required to finalise the integrated national energy and climate plans. The Brussels-based Coalition for Energy Savings (where eceee is a member) assessed the draft plans that were to be submitted to the European Commission by the end of 2018. The first findings suggest that the initial contributions need to be increased by Member States in their final plans as to ensure that the achievement of the EU 2030 energy efficiency target is within reach.

The analysis assesses 15 national contributions representing 51.3% of EU28 final energy consumption. These contributions would only reach 28.7% energy efficiency by 2030, a number to be compared to the 32.5% EU target, according to the Coalition for Energy Savings.

“Despite public demand for projects with immediate environmental, economic and social benefits, Member States have pledged low on energy efficiency, sending the wrong signal to stakeholders” said Stefan Scheuer, Secretary General of the Coalition for Energy Savings. “Member States have less than one year to show their hand on energy efficiency and create a positive outlook for EU citizens and businesses”.

The Coalition for Energy Savings calls on Member States to engage with stakeholders to put in place the relevant targets, policies and measures. Fast tracking energy efficiency in national energy and climate plans will allow the EU to reach its cost-effective energy savings potential and lay the ground for a net-zero greenhouse gas emission economy, Coalition for Energy Savings writes.

View the brief here

View the Coalition for Energy Savings’ recommendations on implementing the EU’s new Energy Efficiency Directive here