Council failure on the 2030 energy efficiency target: a cold decision increasing pressure for strong measures on buildings
The European Council adopted its Climate and Energy Package for 2030, choosing a 27% indicative energy efficiency target: a dismal agreement that fell short of even the Commission’s unambitious proposal of July.
“This is not good enough!” said Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE. “Despite the numerous studies demonstrating the cost-effective potential of a higher energy efficiency target, the 28 Heads of State shied away from setting a strong energy efficiency target. A strong target could have unleashed investment in hard-hit sectors like construction and delivered multiple benefits through reduced energy dependence, a boost to public finances and improved health for EU citizens.”
The Council conclusions indicated that the Commission would propose priority sectors where significant energy efficiency gains can be reaped. Consuming 40% of all energy in the EU, buildings should be the top priority in the upcoming revisions of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
