Brussels, 30 August – A new study by the Energy Efficiency Watch has found that the EU must do more to harmonise and integrate energy efficiency policies at the national level. The report is critical of what it calls, “an enormous disparity among Member States in the levels of ambition of their energy efficiency policies.”
Brussels, 30 August – A new study by the Energy Efficiency Watch has found that the EU must do more to harmonise and integrate energy efficiency policies at the national level. The report is critical of what it calls, “an enormous disparity among Member States in the levels of ambition of their energy efficiency policies.”
The report, named, ‘Improving and Implementing National Energy Efficiency Strategies in the EU Framework’, shows that whilst some states have recognised the, “economic, social, political and environmental benefits of energy efficiency”, and have implemented ambitious policies, others are lagging far behind, doing the bare minimum required by EU Directives.
The authors blame a, “lack of political will and a clear strategy to act”, for the poor performance of some states, arguing that a long-term strategy, and post-2020 framework are needed to boost uptake of energy efficiency measures. Also needed are greater efforts to co-ordinate policies between different sectors.
In 2006, EU member states were required by the Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive, to draw up National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs) for 9% efficiency savings by 2016. At the national level, the report praises Denmark and Bulgaria for their strategic planning, whilst France and the UK are commended for their clear vision. Italy, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are identified as the nations that have made least progress since producing their NEEAP.
The study was co-funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, and based upon interviews with experts from all 28 EU states. It was co-authored by Energy Efficiency Watch members, the Wuppertal Institute, Ecofys, and O.Ö. Energiesparverband, founder of Greenovate! Europe member, the Oekoenergie Cluster.