Page 7 - European Energy Innovation - summer 2018 publication

Summer 2018 European Energy Innovation 7

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

take-up of this new technology,
thus supporting a more sustainable
transport system. It is now over to
Member States to show their level
of ambition by transposing these
measures into national law by early
2020.

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 foster
innovation and the creation of local
jobs. In that context, the energy
renovation of buildings could become
a real European source of growth
and jobs.

In addition, reductions of expenditure
on energy will help the most
vulnerable of our society by
alleviating energy poverty, while
contributing to better and more
comfortable living conditions in
households. The EU has made it clear
that no citizen should be left behind
in the energy transition. This will be
one of the many concrete benefits
felt by everyone in the transition to a
decarbonised the society.

Energy efficiency first is not an
advertising slogan but a fundamental
principle. It is a concrete and
productive priority with positive
impacts for all Europeans. It is
worth being ambitious as this
will underpin the clean energy
transition in Europe for 2030 and
beyond. This is also highly relevant
in the context of the future Long
Term Decarbonisation Strategy
under the Paris Agreement that
the March European Council asked
the Commission to present. Public
consultation on this long term
strategy will be launched in the
coming weeks as engagement from
all parts of society is key to reap the
benefits of the energy transition. This
is why I am looking forward to the
many great energy projects and ideas
presented at the EUSEW 2018. l

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