Commission sticks to old habits and ignores the growth, jobs and energy security potential of our buildings

The Commission revealed the last piece of the puzzle for the 2030 Energy and Climate Package with a 30% energy efficiency target in its Communication on Energy Efficiency. EuroACE urged Member States to make this target binding at the European Council in October.

“Such a weak figure for energy efficiency is inconsistent with what the market is asking, what citizens are asking, what member states are asking and even what evidence-based research is saying,” explained Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE. “The outgoing Commission is deliberately turning a blind eye to the increased benefits of setting a 40% energy efficiency target – acknowledged even in the Commission’s own Impact Assessment!”

The EU imports nearly 54% of its energy, at a cost of over €1.1bn every day. The European Parliament and ministers from seven EU countries had called for a binding target.