Energy Savings Man swoops on Parliament
29 February 2012
CAN Europe and Friends of the Earth Europe, assisted by Energy Savings Man, paid a visit to MEPs in the European Parliament yesterday.
The mission?
To remind MEPs on the Energy Committee (ITRE) to ‘be an energy hero’ and support binding 20% energy savings targets, annual 1.5% savings obligation for energy companies and deep renovation of buildings.
Along with his energy efficient sidekicks, banner and briefing notes, Energy Savings Man carried out a meet and greet with MEPs on their way to vote on Rapporteur Claude Turmes’ report and around 2000 other amendments to the draft Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). See pictures here.
Lightbulbs, businesses and EU decision makers.
15 February 2012
Which European Directive links EDF, HSBC, Siemens and your local primary school?
Or, roof insulation, power lines, light bulbs and the local council?
The answer is the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). With a coverage and complexity that has led to it being described by one European official as "basically eight Directives in one," it's no wonder that the EED has attracted a record number of over 2200 proposed amendments in the European Parliament.
This deluge reflects the interest the draft Directive has attracted since the proposal, intended to ensure delivery of the EU's 20% energy saving target, was published in June 2011. Following Member State hostility to the idea of binding targets, the European Commission presented a proposal that requires governments to adopt self-selected national targets on a merely suggestive basis. It also outlines sectoral measures to address energy companies, public authorities and large companies.
Member States seek to weaken Energy Efficiency Directive
27 November 2011
On 24 November, EU Energy Ministers met to discuss a progress report prepared by the Polish Presidency on the draft Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). The report, which was reviewed and noted by Energy Ministers, shows that Member States are seeking to undo and weaken everything of substance in the Directive - despite having committed to ‘strong and decisive’ action on energy efficiency at the February Council.
This is especially problematic since if Europe is to close the gap to the target of saving 20% of its energy consumption by 2020, as agreed to by Heads of State in 2007, the measures proposed in the Directive need urgently to be strengthened – not weakened. Member States put up such strong resistance to the idea of binding national energy saving targets that the Commission instead proposed only a series of specific measures. However according to new analysis by CAN-Europe and Friends of the Earth, the measures as suggested by the European Commission may deliver as few as half of the required savings.
Coalition for Energy Savings Position on EED - Nov. 2011
