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“Step forward on efficiency, but more is needed”. Reactions on the FF55 package from eceee, the Coalition for Energy Savings and EuroACE

(eceee news, 16 Jul 2021) A number of European energy efficiency NGOs welcome the increased ambition on energy efficiency that has been proposed by the Commission. In particular, the proposal to recast the Energy Efficiency Directive with a higher ambition is welcomed. However, the potential of energy efficiency to deliver on the EU’s climate targets and sustainable energy transition remains untapped.

The recast EED proposal suggests increasing the EU 2030 target to 36% in final energy consumption (9% if compared to the new 2020 Reference Scenario projections) from the current 32,5%. This level of ambition is coherent with what was modelled in the Impact Assessment for the Climate Target Plan. However, it is still lower than the cost-effective energy savings potential of at least 40%, which would deliver more significant benefits for citizens, the climate and the economy. The new energy efficiency target is also set in primary energy.

The recast EED proposal also increases the annual energy savings obligation from 0,8% to 1,5% from 2024 onwards, proposes a new article to operationalise the energy efficiency first principle, and requires the public sector to take the lead and deliver energy savings, particularly through the extension of the obligation to renovate all buildings owned by public bodies with more stringent standards.

Following the publication of the proposal to recast the EED, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union will start negotiations to agree on a joint text.

eceee – We need to pay attention to detail and proper design of measures

“Energy efficiency is the key to deliver on the energy transition” said eceee’s Executive Director Nils Borg. “Without efficiency the ambitions to power our economy with sustainable energy will fail. And we need to pay attention to detail and the proper design of measures. Even if we want higher ambition, we need to ensure that what we decide is implemented so as to deliver as effectively as possible. It is crucial that we ensure that all Member States do their part in delivering on the energy efficiency directive and other directives, such as the building directive and ecodesign.”

eceee also welcomes the focus on supporting socially vulnerable groups in our societies. This will be the only we can ensure support from large and broad groups.

The Coalition for Energy Savings: Energy Efficiency empowered, but full potential not unlocked           

The recast repairs a vital shortcoming of the current framework by proposing to set an EU binding energy efficiency target for 2030, but disappointingly national contributions remain indicative. However, the current national governance is improved, with the Commission proposing that Member States use transparent criteria to calculate their share of the EU target and a mechanism that puts in place corrective actions in case of failure to deliver on the 2030 objective.

“So far, energy efficiency has been a recurrent underachiever, not for lack of potential, but because of a weak empowering framework.” says Arianna Vitali, Secretary-General of The Coalition for Energy Savings. “With this proposal, energy efficiency has a chance to deliver better and more, but no complacency is allowed. The next steps in the legislative process are crucial to build on ambition and ensure all the benefits of energy efficiency for the economy, the people and the climate can be maximised.”

EuroACE – the Energy Efficiency Directive lifts the bar of ambition

EuroACE – Energy Efficient Buildings welcomes the publication of the Fit for 55 (FF55) package, as something that will be the main driver for the achievement of the EU goals to transform the EU building stock to be highly energy efficient and decarbonised.

Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE, says: “Within the FF55 Package, the Energy Efficiency Directive is the piece of legislation that lifts the bar of ambition when it comes to a more efficient energy performance of our buildings and our energy systems. We welcome the proposed binding EU headline target that aims at reducing by 39% the EU’s primary energy consumption by 2030, along with the more ambitious energy savings obligations set out in the new Article 8”.

Julie Kjestrup, Danfoss, President of EuroACE, says: “The strengthening of the renovation requirement in the new Article 6 to now cover all buildings owned by public bodies and requiring them to reach NZEB levels is a big leap forward and one that can really help create scale. What’s key now is to ensure similarly high level of ambition and coherence for the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) later this year.”