Reducing energy consumption is the most immediate way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, increasing Europe’s energy savings can reduce our dependence on fossil fuel imports, enhance energy security and bring more competitiveness. Energy efficiency measures can also create millions of jobs, reduce energy bills, help relieve energy poverty and improve air quality.
The European Union has set an energy efficiency target for 2030, while a series of policies and measures are already in place. They cover different sectors and issues such as buildings, appliances and vehicles.
The 2030 EU energy efficiency target is a reduction of energy consumption of at least 11.7%. It was set when the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), a key piece of the EU energy efficiency legislation, was revised in 2023 as part of the Fit for 55 package. The EU energy efficiency target is binding for final energy consumption and is the trigger to stronger measures on a national level to help achieve the target in the given timeframe. Until now, Member States underperformed with regards to their national energy efficiency contributions for 2030 in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).
The Commission’s analysis of the 2030 national energy efficiency contributions included in the NECPs indicates an ambition gap to the level of ambition of around 8.1% for final and 7.5% for primary energy consumption towards the 2030 energy efficiency target.
The lessons learnt from the 2030 energy efficiency targets point out to the importance of having strong governance mechanisms and binding EU and national targets for Member States and robust implementation of relevant policies. Europe should aim for higher ambition and stronger measures. Otherwise, the economy and the society will be missing out on the multiple benefits energy efficiency has to offer. This is needed not only to be able to achieve the 2030 targets, but also the long-term climate objectives that are compatible with a 1.5°C world.
In the last 20 years, the EU has nevertheless made considerable progress with regards to the reduction of energy consumption. Energy efficiency and energy savings have played a major role in this trend, while it needs to be acknowledged that since 2020, COVID-19, the energy crises, leading to high energy prices, as well as warm winters were also major drivers to reduce energy consumption. The European Environment Agency states that in 2023 EU primary energy consumption reached 1210 Million Tonnes of Oil equivalents (Mtoe), while EU-wide levels of final energy consumption reached 894 Mtoe. As a result, the rate of energy consumption reduction over the past three years suggests that the 2030 energy efficiency targets would be achieved if this progress can be maintained.
As action in the next few years will be decisive in reaching the 1.5°C objective, the 2030 and post-2030 EU energy efficiency targets should align with the Paris Agreement goal. CAN Europe calls for at least 20% energy savings by 2030 (compared to the 2020 Reference Scenario) and halving energy consumption by 2040.
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