Position Paper: EU post-2020 climate and energy policy

Unlocking the available cost-effective energy savings potential, for example in buildings, is a prerequisite for the EU to reach its competitiveness, security of supply and climate change goals. In this position paper, EuroACE called for:

• Energy efficiency to be the starting point in the design of the 2030 framework, with a binding energy savings target based on the savings potential of the different sectors (bottom-up approach)
• A target that does not cap energy consumption but stimulates competitiveness and sustainable growth: realising Europe’s overall cost-effective savings potential (40%) could deliver GHG reductions of at least 50% by 2030 and raise the share of renewables to 35%
• A sectoral target for buildings, supported by clear milestones and policy measures, as buildings offer the highest cost-effective savings and GHG reduction potential