C 152/134
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2022
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency (recast)’ (COM(2021) 558 final — 2021/0203 (COD)) (2022/C 152/22)
Rapporteur: Alena MASTANTUONO
Referral
European Parliament, 13.9.2021 Council of the European Union, 20.9.2021
Legal basis
Article 194(2) and Article 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
Section responsible
Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society
Adopted at plenary
9.12.2021
Plenary session No
565
Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions)
118/1/3
1.
Conclusions and recommendations 1.1.
The EESC welcomes the proposal for recasting the Energy Efficiency Directive, as it addresses an area of action that is key to achieving full decarbonisation of the EU economy and society.
1.2.
The EESC welcomes the binding nature of the new EU target.
The EESC realises that the increasingly demanding efficiency targets at EU level, with Member States required to reduce energy consumption by 9 % in 2030 compared to the projections of the 2020 reference scenario, are challenging and ambitious.
According to the 2020 Progress report (1), only 12 Member States have more or less met their indicative national targets for 2020.
1.3.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the EU’s collective efforts and will certainly have further consequences in terms of meeting higher targets.
Achieving the indicative national contributions will require greater efforts by all Member States, and the different circumstances of each Member State should be taken into account.
1.4.
The EESC reiterates its position in the opinion on the European Climate Law (2) that the aim should be to achieve the greatest possible reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at the lowest possible socioeconomic cost.
The EESC recommends combining instruments compatible with a well-regulated market and regulatory measures when needed, including financial instruments with the support of the Multiannual Financial Framework and NextGenerationEU to contribute to a more efficient energy environment.
1.5.
The EESC welcomes the leading role of the public sector, including local and regional authorities, set out in the proposed recast Energy Efficiency Directive, and highlights that this will require sufficient financial and technical assistance as well as trained personnel.
The Committee endorses the measures relating to renovation and reducing energy consumption to be adopted by the public sector, and sees these as helping the construction sector, specifically SMEs, and as an incentive to develop and implement new technologies and create jobs under the Renovation Wave Strategy.
1.6.
The EESC also appreciates the greater emphasis on informing and empowering consumers, for example in the area of contract requirements or the use of clear and comprehensible language.
It stresses the important role of civil society in information campaigns on the benefits of energy efficiency.
(1) (2)
COM(2020) 564 final.
OJ C 364, 28.10.2020, p. 143.