The Coalition for Energy Savings has published a report, titled 'Implementing the EU Energy Efficiency Directive: Analysis of Member States Plans to Implement Article 5,' which reveals that central governments have not shown leadership in ending the waste of energy in their own buildings.
21 May 2015: The Coalition for Energy Savings has published a report, titled ‘Implementing the EU Energy Efficiency Directive: Analysis of Member States Plans to Implement Article 5,’ which reveals that central governments have not shown leadership in ending the waste of energy in their own buildings.
The publication analyses the plans and inventories submitted by member States to the European Commission in order to comply with Article 5 of the Energy Efficiency Directive, which requires them to annually renovate 3% of the floor area of central government buildings or put in place alternative measures to reach at least the same energy savings. The report consists of nine main sections addressing, inter alia: the requirements of Article 5; methodology; main findings on member States using the default and alternative approaches; an estimation of the impacts of Article 5; recommendations; and conclusions.
The report finds that 11 member States chose the default approach, while 17 member States selected the alternative approach allowing them to opt for non-renovation measures, such as behavioral change campaigns. According to the report, out of the 11 member States that have chosen the default procedure, only Latvia and Slovenia have provided good quality inventories and that, overall, member States have provided no clear plans on the renovations to be undertaken to achieve the required energy savings.
“It would be unfortunate if our governments would not use their powers to invest in saving energy in their buildings and reduce running costs,” stated Stefan Scheuer, Secretary-General of the Coalition for Energy Savings. “This is more than just about applying EU rules, it is about putting energy efficiency first,” he added.
Striving to make energy efficiency and savings the first consideration of EU energy policies, the Coalition for Energy Savings brings together business, professionals, local authorities, trade unions and civil society associations. It calls on member States and on the EU to consider energy efficiency first in their investment decisions and to achieve its full cost-effective energy savings potentials. [Publication: Implementing the EU Energy Efficiency Directive: Analysis of Member States Plans to Implement Article 5] [Coalition for Energy Savings Press Release]