2017 assessment of the progress made by Member States towards the national energy efficiency targets for 2020 and towards the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive

In November 2016 the European Commission proposed a revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) as part of the Clean Energy Package. The review aims to adapt the EED to the 2030 perspective, by setting a binding 30% energy efficiency target, which effectively maintains the current level of ambition. The Commission also proposed simplifying parts of the text to make it easier to implement at national level.

Maintaining the momentum in energy efficiency will not only increase GDP and jobs – energy efficiency is an enabler for the sustainable economy and the construction sector – but will also bring many other benefits to the EU and its people, in particular securing energy supply and reducing pollution. A binding 30% energy efficiency target also contributes significantly to achieving cost-effectively the EU's 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target as energy efficiency pays back in the medium and long term. It lowers energy bills, and improves living conditions in buildings. For companies, it can increase competitiveness thanks to monetary savings and greater innovation.

While the proposal for a review of the EED is debated by the co-legislators, the Commission continues to monitor implementation of the current Directive. This 2017 report provides the latest insights into progress made up to 2015 towards the 20% target. The official European statistics on energy transmitted by Member States to Eurostat are used as primary data source for evaluating progress towards the 2020 target. This report builds on the 2016 Energy Efficiency Progress Report, as well as the 2017 Annual Reports and National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs) submitted by Member States.

ESO: Increased energy efficiency: ensuring progress towards EU's climate and energy goals [Council of the European Union: Press Release, 26.06.17] http://www.europeansources.info/showDoc?ID=1225331

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