EU Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) Guidebook for Strong Implementation

With the Energy Efficiency Directive the EU has given itself a legal framework to put energy efficiency in the limelight. Reaching the 20% energy savings target by 2020 and paving the way for ongoing energy efficiency improvements will help to embed energy savings and efficiency improvements in energy and economic policies. In a world of finite resources where we are already straining ecological, financial and societal boundaries, the EU should abandon the habit of exploiting the remaining dangerous, polluting energy resources. The time is right to adopt new norms and establish a new economic balance by stepping up efforts to reduce our energy consumption. Investing in domestic energy efficiency improvements will create new and local jobs, reduce our € 400 billion energy trade deficit and boost competitiveness in the green economy, all while improving the quality of our environment. In this way we can ensure that we pursue our climate objectives in overcoming the economic crisis, not in spite of it. Correct and strong implementation of EU Directives, particularly when local action is required, has always posed a colossal challenge. History has shown us that two factors largely determine their success: clear targets and public participation. Much remains to be done on both of these fronts. The EED’s targets are not yet complete: though a first step, the binding end-use target must be completed with a binding economy-wide energy savings target for 2020 and within the EU energy and climate package for 2030. Public participation in energy policy and decision making needs to increase. Though public debates on topics like electricity prices help expose problems they do not empower citizens in energy system decisions. We are encouraged by the Coalition’s Guidebook for the strong implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive. It will enlarge the group of EU and national stakeholders to participate in and constructively influence national and EU implementation decisions, so that energy savings targets will be reached to the bene