The successful vote of the European Parliament industry (ITRE) Committee today has amplified the strong voice for more energy efficiency in Europe and a strengthened Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).

The Committee vote asks the European Commission to set a 40% binding energy efficiency target for 2030 (CA 10a), to eradicate contradictions and loopholes (CA 17), and to extend the main energy efficiency provisions beyond 2030 (ENVI 22).

 Roland Joebstl, EEB energy policy officer, said:

“Continuing the success story of energy efficiency beyond 2030 and eradicating loopholes is what the revision of the EED must achieve. This was the clear signal given by today’s ITRE vote and that we expect to see confirmed in the Parliament’s plenary vote in July.”

Notes for editors:

The report was characterised by strong differences of opinions between the rapporteur Markus Pieper (EPP), progressive party colleagues and the shadow rapporteurs from other parties. While all but one compromise amendment (CA 16) passed, many of the compromise amendments de facto rewrite major parts of the report. Pieper lost key votes (CA 16, 204) and subsequently the EPP voted against adopting the resulting report. 

Also important was the adoption of additions from the ENVI Committee opinion that was lead by Pieper EPP colleague Peter Liese.