The need to triple the impact of energy saving policies in Europe

Abstract

In the past five years, the European Union (EU) has considerably strengthened its climate and renewable energy policies. The EU’s three ‘20 %’ targets for 2020 on greenhouse gases (GHGs), renewables and energy savings are implemented through a remarkable package of regulatory EU policies:

• the EU Emissions Trading Scheme;1 • the Renewables Directive;2 • regulations for cars;3 and • regulations for appliances.4

Moreover, the recently revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive5 will provide an important framework for increased energy saving in the built environment in the EU’s 27 Member States.