Glass for Europe: Maximising Benefits For People And Business – The Energy Efficiency Directive Post-2020

Glass for Europe has always been a strong supporter of an ambitious EED as this piece of the Clean Energy Package plays a crucial role to support the renovation of the EU building stock.

Today, the Coalition for Energy savings has gathered high representatives from the 3 EU institutions to discuss the possibilities offered by the Energy Efficiency Directive to maximise benefits for people and business after 2020.

As member of the Coalition for Energy Savings, Glass for Europe participated in the meeting and has the chance to better understand what is currently at stake from the voice of the negotiators.

Miroslav Poche (S&D), rapporteur on the revision of the EED, confirmed the willingness of the European Parliament to get an ambitious binding target and a robust art. 7. In relation to the unrealistic discount rates used by the European Commission in its Impact Assessment, which negatively impact the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency measures, the Czech MEP said that “Claiming that energy efficiency policies are too costly is not justified anymore”.

Director General Dominique Ristori, assured the audience that a EU binding target remains a Commission’s priority, but that a balance needs to be found between the measures contained in art.7 and the level of ambition. “Energy efficiency first is not a slogan. It is at the heart of the Commission’s strategy”.

Zhecho Stankov, Deputy Minister of Energy of Bulgaria, explained that the Bulgarian Presidency is working hard to bridge the divergences between Members States and to convince the most reticent to go beyond 30%. “The nature of the target is still under discussion” he said. “With tonight’s meeting, we hope to have the opportunity to explore new possible compromises.”