EPEE is delighted that the Commission wants to leverage real resources to incentivise building owners to renovate hospitals, schools and homes with the latest low carbon and renewable energy technologies.
‘We now call on the EU Council and European Parliament to match the ambition of the European Commission proposals, and even surpass it for the decarbonisation of Heating & Cooling. The technologies are available to provide Europe’s heating and cooling needs without fossil fuels. Deploying them widely and quickly throughout Europe requires bold and comprehensive policies’ said Jürgen Fischer, EPEE Chairman and President of Danfoss Climate Solutions.
In addition, EPEE believes even more ambitious measures could have been proposed to accelerate the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector, which currently represents roughly half of the final energy consumption in Europe. Phasing out fossil fuels in the sector and replacing the current heating and cooling stock with highly efficient and renewable-based solutions through all viable regulatory means is imperative to reach 55% GHG reduction by 2030.
EPEE believes that in order to accelerate the decarbonisation of heating and cooling, a sectoral efficiency target should have been introduced, which would ensure that Member States dedicate the required attention to the decarbonisation opportunities in the sector.
Moreover, consistency with the ambition levels must also be ensured in the upcoming review of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Promoting energy efficient and renewable heating and cooling solutions in all renovations through minimum energy performance standards and other means is crucial. EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling rules must also do their part to ensure that fossil- based appliances are no longer placed on the market.
EPEE is delighted that the historic Fit for 55 legislative package includes proposals for increased targets on energy efficiency and renewable energy. A crucial step to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and for making buildings part of the solution to Europe’s climate change challenge.
