Enigin Update - Euro Zone Binding Energy Efficiency Targets in Question
THE EUROPEAN Commission has diluted plans to move the European Union (EU) towards 20 percent energy savings by the end of the decade, reports EurActiv.
A draft efficiency directive, seen by EurActiv, is now being examined by several European Commission departments before it will be finalised and published late next month. But the proposals, initially tabled in March, that looked to make the energy efficiency targets binding if member states fell behind their goals by December 2013, have been merged with a Commission assessment process.
Hence, the revision now appears to have been pushed back to June 2014, by which time the current European Commission, led by José Manuel Barroso, who has previously been behind binding targets, will have left office.
Former green campaigner, Stefan Scheuer, who now heads up an environment consultancy business, commented to EurActiv that the 20 percent energy efficiency target for 2020 no longer seems feasible to him.
"Moving the deadline beyond 2013 shows a lack of seriousness from this Commission to make it happen.
"In 2014 it will be left to the successor to Barroso's team, so they are probably putting their cards on the table now and showing that they are insufficient," Scheuer said.
Many experts and executives feel that one of the EUs most effective tactics for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a binding energy efficiency target, which many believe will also improve long-term economic profitability across member states.
The other 2020 targets in the EU, renewables and CO2 emission cuts, are binding but the 20 percent energy saving target is not legally binding and, not surprisingly, also the only target that the EU is set to miss.
Despite the jockeying of politicians and lobbyists in Europe, most businesses and public sector organisations realise how important it is to gain control of their energy use and spend. With ever rising energy prices, environmental concerns and above all else squeezed profits, decision makers need to save energy and costs. Hence many are turning to their local Enigin Distributor to improve their energy efficiency.
Energy saving technology and solutions from Enigin, provide control over energy use, while supporting production, services and the work place environment.
Picture of Art in front of the European Commission by 4nitsirk
