Page 7 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2017 publication

Winter 2017 European Energy Innovation
Because the cheapest, cleanest,
and most secure energy is the
one we do not use.
The EU has already adopted a
number of measures to improve
energy efficiency in all sectors
and has set a comprehensive
regulatory framework with the
Energy Efficiency Directive, the
Energy Performance of Buildings
Directive and the Ecodesign
and Energy labelling legislation.
These measures have contributed
considerably to a decrease in
EU energy consumption and
have already helped consumers
save energy and money. New
buildings now consume half of
the energy they did in the 1980s.
However, we need to accelerate
efforts if we want the EU to
successfully drive the clean
energy transition and meet its
energy and climate targets.
Therefore, as part of the Clean
Energy for All Europeans
package, the Commission
launched new and ambitious
energy efficiency measures.
It proposed a binding energy
efficiency target of 30% at
EU-level for 2030 as well as
measures to improve the energy
performance of products and
buildings. This will bring further
savings to consumers and will
foster the development of energy
efficiency technologies.
Energy efficiency is not only one
of the most cost effective ways
to support the transition to a
low-carbon economy; it is also an
effective way to create investment, Buildings Directive will stimulate
growth and employment
opportunities in Europe.
This is particularly true in the
buildings’ sector, where a
considerable cost effective
energy saving potential exists.
Just consider the facts: the
construction industry provides
already 18 million direct jobs in
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7
CLEAN ENERGY FOR ALL EUROPEANS
Europe and accounts for 9% of
our GDP. Construction activities
that include renovation work and
energy retrofits add almost twice
as much value as the construction
of new buildings. And SMEs
contribute with more than 70%
of the value added in the EU
building sector.
Today, the building sector is
the largest energy consumer in
Europe, accounting for 40% of
final energy consumption and
36% of greenhouse gas emissions
in Europe. Yet, about three
quarters of our building stock is
energy inefficient and the current
level of renovation is low.
Accelerating the rate, quality
and effectiveness of building
renovation will be a great
challenge for the coming decades
and this is why the Commission
has proposed an update to our
Energy Performance in Buildings
Directive to exploit this untapped
potential. It is now being
negotiated by the co-legislators,
the European Parliament and the
Council – with the support of the
Commission in order to maintain
a high level of ambition.
Indeed, the proposed measures
will help us to increase renovation It is a responsibility towards all
rates with changes to buildings’
energy performance rules,
while taking advantage of all
technologies and progress
available such as ICT, smart
building technologies and
e-mobility. In this context, the
revised Energy Performance of
the uptake of digital technologies
for buildings, in particular smart
metering technologies and
smart home appliances. These
technologies will facilitate the
penetration of renewable energy,
support a more sustainable
transport system and encourage
the active participation of
consumers through demand
response; thus contributing to
the modernisation of the whole
energy system.
At the same time, raising the
energy performance and
intelligence of buildings
will strengthen Europe’s
competitiveness, reduce the level
of greenhouse gas emissions,
decrease energy dependence
and will provide tangible health
and lifestyle improvements for
our citizens. It will also foster
innovation and the creation of
jobs that are local, sustainable
and not at risk of relocation. It
is estimated that up to 700,000
jobs in the construction sector
and 270,000 in the engineering
sector will be created thanks to
the measures put forward in the
Clean Energy for All Europeans
package. In that context, the
energy renovation of buildings
could become a real European
source of growth and jobs.
Beyond the regulatory framework,
the role of local actors and in
particular of cities will be decisive
for the energy transition and the
decarbonisation of buildings.
Today, the transition to a smart,
sustainable and secure energy
system is no longer a choice.
citizens. And cities are a motor
of innovation and a driver of
the EU economy, with three
quarters of Europe’s population
living in them. But they are also
responsible for an equal share
of the EU’s energy demand
and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Commission is therefore
supporting cities to become
smarter and engage with the use
of digital and telecommunication
technologies as they have the
potential to accelerate the
energy transition notably through
better use of resources, smarter
transport system and more
efficient ways to light and heat
buildings. l