Download WWF`s contribution to the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency

WWF European Policy Office
36 Avenue Tervuren Box 12
1040 Brussels
Belgium
t: +32 2 743 8816
f: +32 2 743 8819
For a living planet
www.panda.org/epo
Briefing:
WWF’s contribution to the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency
December 2005
WWF welcomes the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency and supports the EC in its effort to
underline the central role of energy efficiency in fighting climate change. After many years in the
shadow, energy efficiency is finally being recognised the role it deserves in fighting climate change,
ensuring security of energy supply and enhancing European competitiveness.
Yet, energy efficiency must not become a goal in itself, but it has to be a tool to achieve energy
conservation and fight climate change. Improving energy efficiency levels both in the supply and
demand side is essential in order to attain an absolute reduction in energy consumption. Through
energy conservation climate change and security of energy supply can be respectively alleviated
and guaranteed; through energy conservation the negative effects of the volatility of oil and gas
prices on the global economy can be softened, mainly thanks to an increase in the use of renewable
energy sources.
Therefore is it crucial for the European Commission to acknowledge and emphasise the link
between energy efficiency, energy conservation and climate change policy in the forthcoming
Action plan on energy efficiency.
To significantly contribute to sustainable development and at the same time to position itself in a
global competitive market, the European Union needs to adopt the right objectives and appropriate
policies. Becoming the most energy efficient economy in the world would benefit the European
Union both from an environmental and economic point of view. The diffusion of existing highly
efficient technologies that could rapidly generate substantial CO2 reductions must be supported and
properly diffused in Europe and abroad and new technology areas need to be accurately financed
and developed. Not only the EU will drastically reduce its CO2 emissions and energy demand, but
it will also be able to enter new markets and offer capacity building and technologies when
developing countries will start introducing advanced technologies.
As shown in a recent WWF’s study “Target 2020: Policies and Measures to reduce Greenhouse gas
emissions in the EU”1, EU greenhouse gases emissions can be reduced by 33% by 2020 and energy
efficiency plays a major role in all sectors and in all Member States. In order to reach this objective
a wide-ranging policy package is needed, involving a comprehensive set of sectors and
technologies.
Energy efficiency is not a product that can be found on a shelf and easily sold. To obtain substantial
results, energy efficiency measures and programmes need to be coordinated and be part of a broad
policy framework, providing the structural support for the development and diffusion of energy
efficient technologies and products.
1
In cooperation with Wuppertal Institute, October 2005, available at: www.panda.org/climate/EUtarget2020
WWF European Policy Office
36 Avenue Tervuren Box 12
1040 Brussels
Belgium
t: +32 2 743 8816
f: +32 2 743 8819
For a living planet
www.panda.org/epo
If increased energy efficiency levels are not linked to specific policies and measures aiming at
steadily reducing absolute energy demand, the European Union will lose a unique opportunity to
fight climate change, ensure the security of energy supply and help its economy.
Therefore WWF strongly invites the European Commission to:
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highlight the link between energy efficiency, energy conservation and EU climate change policy
adopt the proposed target of 20% reduction of today’s energy consumption by 2020
provide specific financial instruments to favour energy efficiency from research to application
(special funding in EU 7th framework research programmes, EU regional funds allocated to
energy efficiency projects, specific loans and funding allocated to energy efficiency projects by
international financial institutions)
recognize the leading role of public authorities in fostering energy efficiency, through green
public procurement and education programmes
strongly implement and monitor existing legislation (i.e. Eco-design directive, energy end-use
efficiency and energy services directive, energy performance in building) and revise old and
outdated legislation (i.e. energy labelling directive)
adopt new policies in favour of energy efficiency in transport (efficiency in cars, road passenger
transport, road freight transport and aviation)
introduce new energy taxes and ecological financial reform
stop funding fossil fuel and nuclear related projects and support lending for energy efficiency
and renewable energy projects, create energy efficiency funds and promote innovative financing
schemes and contractual tools
provide incentives to improve energy efficiency in buildings (especially rented accommodations
and buildings not covered by the Energy performance of buildings directive)
integrate energy efficiency in the EU relations with third countries (both developing countries
and neighbour countries) and include energy and climate policy in the priority agenda.
For more information please contact:
Mariangiola Fabbri
Climate Change and Energy Policy Unit
WWF European Policy Office
Tel. +32 2 7400934
[email protected]