The European Council of October 2014 agreed on an EU objective of saving at least 27% of energy by 2030 compared to projections and requested the Commission to review the target by 2020 having in mind an EU level of 30%. Therefore, the existing policy framework needs to be updated to reflect the new EU energy efficiency target for 2030 and to align it with the overall 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy.
Objectives of the consultation
This consultation was launched to collect views and suggestions from different stakeholders to inform the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) review, foreseen for the second half of 2016. The consultation focused on examining the following elements of the Directive:
- Article 1: Subject matter and scope and Article 3: Energy efficiency target;
- Article 6: Purchasing by public bodies of energy efficient buildings, goods and services;
- Article 7: Energy efficiency obligation schemes;
- Articles 9-11: Metering, Billing information and Cost of access to metering and billing information;
- Article 20: Energy efficiency national fund, financing and technical support;
- Article 24: Reporting and monitoring and review of implementation.
Questions on the above articles in this consultation were formulated so as to respect the requirements of the recently adopted Better Regulation Package and to ensure that the results are fed into two parallel processes: first, to assess whether relevant measures are efficient, effective, and coherent with the broader EU legislative framework, and second, to identify the most appropriate policy options to be considered for reviewing specific aspects of the EED as part of the impact assessment. This consultation closed on 29 January 2016.
Supporting papers
To download the consultation document, please follow the link below.
CIBSE response
CIBSE believes that the EED has been successful in reinforcing energy efficiency policies in the UK and providing a framework for action. It has helped to raise the profile of energy efficiency, providing positive reinforcement for those who are already active in this area and ensuring that the UK Government does not ignore energy efficiency entirely. There is still no genuinely coordinated national energy efficiency programme in the UK. The policy landscape is still quite incoherent and investment is severely lacking. It is therefore essential that the EED maintains a clear focus on the issue.
CIBSE also believes there should be a greater focus on facilitating enforcement and compliance, holding nations to account and encouraging interim targets and progress against these, as well as a greater focus on effective resource management. The EU should be supporting and working with Member States to improve national energy strategies, and should ensure that all Member States pay proper attention to reducing energy consumption, and do not try to achieve targets with an undue reliance on “green energy” and demand response measures.
To read the full CIBSE response, please follow the link below.
Results of the consultation and next steps
The European Commission published the Final Synthesis Report in response to the public consultation for the review of Energy Efficiency Directive on 26 February 2016. The report summarises the responses received from a wide variety of interested stakeholders.
To read the report, please follow the link below.