Parliamentary work on energy efficiency: it’s not over yet!

EuroACE noted the broad support from the Parliament Plenary for the Poche Report on the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), which strengthens energy efficiency policies for the post-2020 period, but lamented the fallback in ambition from previous parliamentary positions.

“We would like to acknowledge the impressive and tenacious work of MEPs, particularly the Rapporteur Miroslav Poche,” said Adrian Joyce, EuroACE Secretary General. “The adoption of the report with almost 500 votes in favour allows us to say that MEPs continue to be serious about energy efficiency, but falling back from a 40% to a 35% target is a disappointment.”

With a minimum 35% binding EU target, a good part of the cost-effective potential in key sectors, including building renovation, will be left untapped. To be in line with the Paris Agreement, and to match the progress achieved on the Buildings Directive just before Christmas, a 40% binding target would have been more relevant. The Parliament’s position is nevertheless an improvement compared to the 30% target of both the Commission and the Council.

“Considering the 2050 ambition for the building stock in the recently adopted EPBD, we need instruments to give predictability to industry and confidence to investors, so as to ensure a stable flow of investments into energy renovation of buildings,” said Céline Carré, EuroACE President, welcoming the strengthened annual energy savings requirement of Article 7.