Commission could have been more ambitious but decision good starting point for further discussions

Today, the European Commission presented its strategy on energy efficiency until 2030. With this communication the Commission completes a paper from spring where it already laid down targets on CO2 reduction (40 %) and renewable energies (27 %). With modern technologies like efficient boilers and electricity saving household products the European Union shall reach 30 % energy savings compared to a base year until 2030. So, the agreed target lies above the 25 % preferred by outgoing Commission-President Barroso and is significantly higher than the renewables target. European Parliament had adopted a resolution prepared by its Environmental and Industry Committees demanding a target of 40 %.


"Today's decision of the Commission is a step forward in the right direction and a good starting point for further discussions. In fact, the Commission falls back behind the well-founded target of the European Parliament but to reach the 30 % we will definitely need political instruments to support energy efficiency in the next years. The proposal still can be improved in the discussions between member states and Parliament. To reduce CO2 and the consumption of fossil fuels, like gas and oil, no other way than energy efficiency is more cost-efficient. The construction of new nuclear power plants, renewable energies, and CSS are much more expensive. We spend more than one billion euro per day to import fossil fuels like gas, oil and coal. And the number one exporter of gas and oil to the European Union is Russia. It is worthwhile to think about how we can channel this money to local installers and European industry which offer solutions for energy efficiency. ", said the spokesman on environment of the biggest political group in the European Parliament (EPP- Christian Democrats), Dr. Peter Liese.