Industry is deeply concerned by the release of the European Commission’s Energy
Efficiency Plan 2011. Although it is clear and publicly acknowledged that the 2020 energy savings target will not be met by current measures in place in Member States, Brussels is delaying taking concrete action until at least 2013.

Businesses in the energy savings industry want clear policy signals, commitments and targets. Only then will they invest in increased capacity. The Commission’s ‘let’s wait and see’ approach thus does not only hamper carbon savings, but also does not enable the EU to stimulate real job creation. At the same time, vulnerable consumers are left at the mercy of ever increasing energy prices.

“If energy efficiency is a priority area of the EU’s Energy and Europe 2020 strategy, then why are we not seeing a greater sense of urgency?” asks EuroACE’s Secretary General, Amanda Afifi. “We need an Action Plan that will deliver and that can be shown to deliver from the outset”.

The Energy Efficiency Plan 2011 also provides a unique opportunity for the Commission to frame its energy savings policy, both in terms of the short-term target and the overall 2050 target. An efficiency plan for 2020 placed outside of the context of a 2050 objective runs the risk of making it harder to achieve our long-term goals.

In the case of buildings, the lack of a clear and coherent target both at EU and Member State level often leads to shallow energy savings measures that lock-in the potential of a building that may only be renovated once every thirty years.

The Efficiency Plan must include a clear target to strive for as well as a robust strategy for achieving the target. Without this, what are we aiming for?

ENDS

For further information:
Amanda Afifi - Secretary General
Tel. +32 2 639 1010
E-mail: amanda.afifi@euroace.org

Note to Editors:

EuroACE, the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, is
comprised of Europe’s leading companies involved with the manufacture, distribution and installation of energy saving goods and services. EuroACE members have a total turnover of 140 billion Euros and employ 172,000 people in Europe alone. The mission of EuroACE is to work together with the European institutions to help Europe move towards a more sustainable pattern of energy use in buildings, thereby contributing to Europe’s commitments on climate change, energy security and economic growth.

EuroACE members

· Aereco
· Armacell International
· Danfoss
· Honeywell
· Johnson Controls
· Kingspan Insulated Panels
· Knauf Insulation
· Paroc
· Philips Lighting
· Pilkington
· PU Europe
· Rockwool International
· Saint-Gobain Isover
· Solutia
· Somfy
· United Technologies
· URSA Insulation
· VELUX Group