EU energy efficiency and climate change targets need ambition25 June 2012
Europe's energy ministers have reached a compromise on energy efficiency.
This is a welcome step, but is too weak to achieve the EU's 20% energy savings target.
Weak targets
The Energy Efficiency Directive:
- has no overall binding EU energy-saving targets
- lacks clear requirements for buildings
- has reduced the annual savings target for energy companies.
Find out more about the directive here.
The UK Government has weakened the directive.
It opposes overall binding energy-saving targets.
Making targets stronger
The EU 20% energy savings target can still be met however.
Says Friends of the Earth Energy Campaigner Dave Timms:
"Introducing ambitious, binding energy saving policies and targets would hugely boost European efforts to cut energy bills, reduce our reliance on dirty gas and oil imports and create new jobs and growth."
Tackling climate change
Strong energy efficiency policies would also help to tackle climate change.
European leaders are meeting this month to discuss EU climate targets.
Friends of the Earth is also calling for an increase in the inadequate target of 20% cuts in carbon emissions.
