Binding targets will help cut bills and combat energy poverty

The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy committee has today backed a report on the energy efficiency directive. With two alternative compromise deals on the table, the Greens backed a 40% binding target on energy efficiency by 2030 (1).

Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur Benedek Jávor comments:

"An ambitious energy efficiency policy is needed to bring down energy bills for European citizens and businesses. It can also help to combat energy poverty and is key to our health, well-being, as well as achieving our climate policy targets and the commitments made under the Paris Agreement.

"We are pleased to have helped secure agreement on an overall 40% target for energy efficiency for 2030 across the EU, which would be underpinned by national binding targets to ensure it really delivers. We have also fought to close loopholes and make sure the transport sector is included in the targets.

"The ambition on targets needs to be matched with concrete measures, especially on lifting people out of energy poverty. The transition towards energy efficiency must deliver real benefits for the poorest, most vulnerable ones in our communities."

Notes

(1) The Greens/EFA group, alongside the S&D, ALDE, and GUE/NGL groups, backed a binding 40% target for energy efficiency for 2030 with national binding targets. The EPP and ECR groups pushed for a non-binding 30% target for energy efficiency for the year 2030.