The energy efficiency target of 30% for 2030 put forward by the European Commission in its Energy Efficiency Communication issued at the end of July will create new opportunities for European businesses. At the same time, the new target will make energy more affordable for consumers and increase Europe’s energy security by significantly reducing natural gas imports, the Commission said in a statement.
Significant progress has already been made in this area - new buildings currently use half the energy they did in the 1980s and industry is about 19% less energy intensive than in 2001. The proposed target, which goes beyond the 25% energy savings target required to achieve a 40% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030, aims to build on what has already been achieved, the statement said.
"Our proposal is the basis to drive the EU towards increased security of supply, innovation and sustainability, all in an affordable way. It is ambitious and at the same time it is realistic. The energy efficiency strategy will complete the 2030 framework on energy and climate which has been presented in January 2014. Our aim is to give the right signal to the market and encourage further investments in energy saving technologies to the benefit of businesses, consumers and the environment," European Commission Vice-President Günther Oettinger said.
The Communication on energy efficiency and its contribution to energy security and the 2030 framework also reviews progress towards the European Union's 20% energy efficiency target for 2020. The EU is currently on track to achieve energy savings of 18-19% in 2020; however, the target of 20% could still be reached if all EU Member States implement the agreed legislation in full.
According to the Communication, the European Commission will review progress on energy efficiency in 2017. At that time, it will explore the question of whether additional indicators should be used to express and monitor progress towards the energy efficiency target. These could include indicators such as energy intensity, which take better account of underlying changes in and projections for GDP and population growth.
For more information: