EuroACE welcomes today’s call by the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee to make the EU’s 20% energy savings target by 2020 a mandatory goal. MEPs were voting on an own initiative report to give guidance to the European Commission on the upcoming Energy Efficiency Action Plan review.

Amanda Afifi, Secretary General of EuroACE, commented “It is no coincidence that the carbon emission reduction and renewable energy targets, which are mandatory, are expected to be reached by 2020. On the other hand, the European Commission has acknowledged that the energy savings target, which is indicative, is not on track. Further impetus is needed if Europe is to save and use energy more efficiently. That impetus must be ‘binding’ in nature”.

EuroACE particularly welcomes the focus given to the potential for energy savings in the existing building stock. The Committee has asked the Commission to assess the refurbishment potential of public administration buildings as a first step towards setting a policy pathway to a nearly zero level building stock by 2050. ITRE MEPs also highlighted that innovative financing instruments must be put in place that are proportional to the level of energy savings made in order to encourage deep
refurbishment.

Furthermore, the Committee’s opinion rightly highlighted the extensive benefits that energy efficiency measures have to offer (e.g. job creation, poverty alleviation, enhanced energy security) which justifies its request to ensure that, not only is energy efficiency integrated into all EU policy areas, such as finance, education, industry and regional and urban development, but that energy efficiency policy becomes a first-order priority of the EU.

ENDS

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

Note to Editors:
EuroACE was founded by 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 328,000 people in Europe. 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

· Acciona Infraestructuras
· Aereco
· Armacell International
· PU Europe
· CRH Insulation
· Danfoss
· Honeywell
· Johnson Controls
· Kingspan Insulated Panels
· Knauf Insulation
· Paroc
· Philips Lighting
· Pilkington
· Rockwool International
· Saint-Gobain Isover
· Solutia Inc.
· Somfy
· RPM Building Solutions
· United Technologies
· URSA Insulation
· VELUX Group