The European Commission has approved an action plan to boost energy efficiency, reduce dependence on imported energy and cut CO2 emissions, calling for the roll-out of smart grids and smart meters to enable consumers to optimise their electricity use.
The plan also proposes a binding target for the public sector to make 3 per cent of existing buildings energy efficient each year, and to introduce energy efficiency criteria in public procurement.
At the same time private buildings should be renovated to reduce energy use and the energy performance of appliances improved. The Commission says there should be energy efficiency requirements for industrial equipment, improved information for SMEs to help them manage energy use, and energy audits and energy management systems for large companies.
Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner responsible for Energy, said, “Despite progress, our estimates show that we need a further decisive and coordinated action on energy efficiency, without which the EU will not meet its objective of 20 per cent energy savings by 2020.” Recent Commission estimates suggest the EU will achieve only half of the 20 per cent improvement in energy efficiency it aims for by 2020 if it continues business as usual.
The Commission will monitor the implementation of the action plan and report on progress in Spring 2013. If this review shows that the overall EU target is unlikely to be achieved, it will propose to set legally binding targets for 2020.
The Commission also published its roadmap for transforming the EU into a low carbon economy by 2050, plotting the route to reach the objective of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 per cent of 1990 levels by 2050 and setting out policies for individual sectors, national and regional low-carbon strategies, and long-term investments.
Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, said, “The low carbon economy can be built by further developing proven technologies that exist already today. In this transition, all economic sectors need to contribute, including agriculture, construction and transport.” By setting out a cost effective pathway the roadmap provides a clear and predictable framework for business and governments to prepare low-carbon strategies and long-term investments.
Domestic measures
The economic modelling underlying the roadmap shows that to achieve an 80 per cent domestic reduction by 2050, cuts of the order of 40 per cent and 60 per cent below 1990 levels need to be achieved by 2030 and 2040, respectively.
Building a low carbon economy will require additional annual investment equivalent to 1.5 per cent of the EU’s gross domestic product or €270 billion over the next 40 years, on top of overall current investment of 19 per cent of GDP. This increase would merely return Europe to the investment levels seen before the economic crisis. However, the Commission claims much or all of this extra investment will be recovered through lower import bills for oil and gas, with savings estimated at €175-320 billion a year.
The Commission says low carbon investment in clean technologies, smart electricity grids and environmental protection will have multiple benefits. On top of reducing dependence on energy imports, the investment will stimulate new sources of growth, preserve existing jobs and create new ones. Air pollution and its associated health costs would also be cut. Total benefits from better air quality could reach up to €88 billion a year by 2050.
The roadmap takes the form of a communication addressed to the Council, European Parliament and other EU bodies. The Commission invites them, member states and stakeholders to take it into account in the further development of EU and national policies for achieving a low carbon economy by 2050.
Low carbon roadmap:
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/roadmap/index_en.htm
http://www.ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-014/hedegaard/headlines/roadmap/index_en.htm
A resource-efficient Europe - Flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 Strategy:
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