Download leaflet prepared for MEPs by the Renovate Europe Campaign.
EuroACE has high expectations of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). If well designed, the EED will enable all actors to tackle the huge potential of the European building stock for energy savings. This will, in turn, free up money for other projects through decreased energy bills, job creation and limitation of EU dependence on external energy sources. [...]
EuroACE and its member companies note with satisfaction that the Commission has proposed a Directive whose focus is on improving energy efficiency in the EU. However, we regret the low level of ambition, targets and firm measures that the proposed Directive contains for the buildings sector. Buildings account for about 40% of EU energy consumption. Substantial energy savings are required if we are to meet both our 2020 energy savings target and our 2050 targets for a low carbon economy. Most buildings that will exist in 2050 are already built, so it is vital that an ambitious programme of energy efficient systematic renovation of the EU building stock starts NOW. The proposed Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) should be a key driver in delivering this and in stimulating the EU energy efficiency market. [...]
Energy Efficiency stakeholders including EuroACE support the open letter adressed to the President of the European Commission, Mr Barroso. The letter was prepared by Eufores, Erec and the Coalition for Energy Savings to express their strong support for a dedicated follow-up of the successful Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) programme. [...]
Energy efficiency is recognised as the lowest-cost and fastest means of realising energy savings, while also delivering large economic benefits to society. Yet it takes upfront capital to finance most energy saving initiatives. To reach the levels of improvements in energy efficiency necessary to meet 2020 targets, financial solutions require both private financing – i.e. ensuring that the market has the right incentives to invest – and public investment – the mechanisms by which public funds can be used to encourage energy efficiency, directly and by leveraging private capital. However, there are many reasons why adequate financing is not being made available. [...]
Buildings account for 40% of Europe’s energy consumption. As such, concrete and ambitious action to tackle unnecessary energy use in the EU’s building stock is key to any energy efficiency plan. The European Efficiency Plan 2011 (EEP) rightly acknowledges that the greatest energy saving potential lies in buildings. Part of the EU’s energy efficiency policy agenda up to 2020 alongside a future EU Framework Directive, the plan focuses on measures such as financing and training to support the escalation of renovation in public and private buildings. In particular, a recommendation for public authorities to refurbish 3% of their buildings every year sets the right level of ambition. However, more needs to be done, and done now. It is already widely accepted that, unless activity is significantly accelerated, Europe will only reach 50% of the energy savings target set by 2020. Concrete and ambitious action in the building area is thus urgently needed over the coming years at EUand Member State level.[...]
EuroACE believes that the EU should have a clear policy objective to deliver a zeroenergy built environment by the year 2050. We know that net zero energy new build can be delivered now, and that substantial energy savings in existing buildings can be delivered through deep renovation using current technologies and materials. But to drive and accelerate the uptake of these solutions, MANDATORY TARGETS FOR THE ENERGY-EFFICIENT REFURBISHMENT OF BUILDINGS is paramount.
EU Energy Saving Target Key to Achieving the New Europe 2020 Objectives - As representatives of a range of business and professional associations and civil society interests, we are firmly convinced of the multi-faceted benefits of energy saving and consider that the EU must urgently step up its action in this regard. [...]
EuroACE has some concerns with the eco-design for products process, particularly when looking at products that are designed to be part of a system, like heating and cooling buildings, where you have an interaction of several products and services, e.g. design, installation, operation, insulation, controls, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, renewable energy generators, whose resulting performance and interaction determine the actual efficiency of a building.
EuroACE believes that there are three key areas that must be included in the final text if Europe is to reap the projected benefits of a 5-6% reduction in final energy used by 2020, a 4-5% reduction in total CO2 emissions by 2020, a cost savings of 25 billion annually for the European economy, and the creation of 450,000 direct jobs in the construction sector. These three points are also essential for Europe to prove its leadership position at the Copenhagen climate change talks in December.[...]
Take your energy back with smart investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy for the building sector.
www.takeyourenergyback.eu