Energy Efficiency Watch reports: Considerable progress in Energy Efficiency, but more needed to achieve 2020 target

Despite considerable progress in the implementation of energy efficiency policies since 2011, more is needed if the EU is to reach its 2020 efficiency targets. This is the conclusion of an exhaustive set of reports on EU and national energy efficiency policy implementation released today from the Energy Efficiency Watch 3 project. 

While the Industry, Research and Energy Committee of the European Parliament is set to vote on the latest implementation report on the Energy Efficiency Directive tomorrow, 24 May, exhaustive research - published in the framework of the Energy Efficiency Watch 3  - highlights both progress and lack of action. 

The new reports follow the publication of a survey of 1100 EU experts in early April. Since 2011, the new reports conclude, there are overall more new or improved energy efficiency policies than weakened or abandoned policies. However, many EU Member States still need to grasp the benefits or allocate resources to invest enough money and implementing capacities in energy efficiency policies. This would not only make the EU number 1 in energy efficiency but also help lead the way out of the economic and financial crisis.

The Energy Efficiency Watch project consortium analyses the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs) and the development of European and national Energy Efficiency policies within the framework of the EED. 

The Energy Efficiency Watch project's released portfolio of reports includes:

• 28 Country Reports (Available in English and national languages) which analyse the progress of energy efficiency in each Member State;
• 10 Case Studies that present outstanding energy efficiency policies in Europe and offer inspiration to policy makers;
• the Key Policy Conclusions, which condense the project's key messages and translate them into strategic policy conclusions;
• the project Summary report "How to make Europe number 1 in Energy Efficiency", and
• the Expert Survey Report, which gathered input from over 100 experts, reporting on levels of ambition and progress of energy efficiency policies in each Member State. 

See full press release here. 

All documents are now online and can be found here: www.energy-efficiency-watch.org

For more information on EUFORES please go to www.eufores.org