Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/1722 setting out guidelines for the interpretation of Article 4 of Directive (EU) 2023/1791 as regards energy efficiency targets and national contributions

Summary:

Recommendation adopted by the European Commission on 17 June 2024 setting out guidance on the transposition of Articles 4 of the Directive (EU) 2023/1791 on energy efficiency.

Further information:

Directive (EU) 2023/1791 - the recast of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) - was adopted in September 2023 and it raised the European Union's ambition for 2030 in terms of energy efficiency. It set a target for the European Union (EU) to consume at least 11,7 % less energy by 2030 compared to the projected energy use for 2030 based on the 2020 EU reference scenario.

In order to reach this target, Member States must notify an indicative national target for its 2030 final energy consumption, and an indicative trajectory, as part of its National Energy and Climate Plan by June 2024. The Act comprises a formula to calculate indicative national contributions, and strengthens governance mechanisms (including an ambition gap mechanism and a gap-filling mechanism). However, these are not seen to limit the flexibility of Member States to decide on what targets they would set or how they would achieve them.

This Recommendation sets out guidance for interpretation of relevant provisions in Directive (EU) 2023/1791 in a consistent way as Member States prepare their transposition measures. The text was adopted by the European Commission on 17 June 2024 and published in the Official Journal on 19 June 2024.