The "Fit for 55" package by the European Commission was published on 14 July 2021, setting out legislative proposals to help the EU reach its ambitious climate targets: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels and to become climate-neutral by 2050.
Among the proposals, covering amendments to Emissions Trading System, Effort Sharing Regulations, Renewable Energy Directive and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, is the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) recast.
EED is an important element to progress towards climate neutrality by 2050 and industry can play a significant role, as mentioned in the proposal:
Industry is one of the sectors that has achieved significant energy efficiency improvements over the last decade. Nevertheless, cost-effective savings potentials still exist. Heating and cooling consumes half of EU FEC, making it the biggest energy end-use sector. There remains much potential for reducing energy use in this sector, while still achieving the temperatures needed. Heating and cooling, therefore, plays a crucial role in the EU’s ambition to transition into a clean and carbon-neutral economy by 2050.
The top three solutions proposed in the EED recast:
1. The energy efficiency first principle, which is recognised as a guiding principle of the EU energy policy, should be taken into account across all sectors, going beyond the energy system, at all levels, and also in the financial sector. Energy efficiency solutions should be considered as the first option in planning and investment decisions, when setting new rules for the supply side and other policy areas.
2. Member States shall ensure that enterprises with an average annual consumption higher than [100TJ] of energy over the previous three years and taking all energy carriers together, implement an energy management system. The energy management system shall be certified by an independent body according to the relevant European or International Standards.
3. Member States shall ensure that enterprises with an average annual consumption higher than [10TJ] of energy over the previous three years and taking all energy carriers together that do not implement an energy management system are subject to an energy audit. Energy audits must be carried out in an independent and cost-effective manner by qualified or accredited experts in line with requirements under Article 23 or implemented and supervised by independent authorities under national legislation. Energy audits shall be carried out no more than four years from the date of the previous energy audit.
EiiF, with its updated TIPCHECK Programme and new tools designed to facilitate energy audits, can already today support companies to improve their energy efficiency and to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
EiiF "Fit for 55" recommendations, as presented by Foundation Director Andreas Gürtler, can be followed on LinkedIn.
