40% energy efficiency target: the European Parliament sends the right message, emphasises action on buildings

On 15 December 2015, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority the report on the EU Energy Union Framework by Rapporteur Marek Gróbarczyk, recalling the benefits of energy efficiency and building renovation and restating its support for an ambitious, binding 40% energy efficiency target. Coming just after the Paris Agreement at COP21, it was a clear indication of where to start: with energy efficiency.

“This European Parliament has adopted a fully comprehensive position on the future of the energy system in the EU and it has called, in unequivocal terms, for the European Commission and, importantly, the Member States, to apply the ‘energy efficiency first’ principle,” said Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE. “We are especially pleased to see that the adopted report calls for particular action on increasing the rate and depth of energy renovation of buildings.”