VIPA International calls for more ambitious energy efficiency targets

Following the publication of Council conclusions on Energy Efficiency Directive and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, VIPA International calls for the approval of more ambitious energy efficiency targets. The current proposals on the 2030 energy efficiency target (30% for Commission and Council, 35% for Parliament) are clearly not enough. VIPA International strongly believes in the energy efficiency first principle, and highlights that to comply with the 1.5°C goal set by the Paris Agreement the European Union should adopt the binding energy efficiency target of 40% proposed by the European Parliament in its 2016 Resolution. Also other measures currently under discussion risk endangering the effectiveness of the package. The Council proposal to reduce the energy savings obligations to 1.0% for the period 2026-2030 is particularly worrying, also taking into account that the exemptions are likely to be present in the final text.

The Council proposals are not ambitious enough also on renovation of EU buildings, which are currently responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. On this regard, we welcome the draft report of the European Parliament where it proposes to achieve a highly efficient and decarbonised building stock by 2050. The proposal of the European Parliament is a good base for discussion also regarding national renovation strategies, including the need to stimulate deep renovation, promote skills and education and target all public buildings.

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) offer best-in-class insulation solutions to reduce the energy consumption of buildings and appliances. The President of VIPA International, Gregor Erbenich, highlighted that “the level of ambition of the reviewed energy efficiency package is quite disappointing. Deep renovation and the use of best available technologies should become the norm in the European Union, but the proposals currently on the table fail to achieve these targets. Europe is an important market for highly efficient, space saving solutions as VIPs, but ambitious targets are needed to fully develop this market”.

Other provisions currently discussed are also positive, like the EPBD proposal to link the financial incentives provided for renovation of buildings to the energy efficiency savings achieved, but it will be important for Commission, Council and Parliament to avoid watering down these proposal. This latest point is particularly relevant: governments should lead by example in renovation and purchasing. Only buildings with the highest energy efficiency performances should be purchased by public authorities, avoiding the settling down to the minimum energy efficiency requirements.