Gierek’s report fails to take account of the EU\u2019s existing legal framework and the Parliament\u2019s own previous resolutions calling for binding 40% energy efficiency targets and national binding targets.<\/p>\n
Responding to the report, EEB Policy Officer Roland Joebstl<\/strong> said:<\/p>\n \u201cIn his attempt to turn the Energy Efficiency Directive inside out, Gierek dismantles one of the central pillars of the Commission\u2019s Energy Union while suggesting a worrying ignorance of the existing legal framework. We call on the MEPs of the ENVI and ITRE Committees to coordinate closely and focus on other, more reasonable proposals.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Gierek\u2019s report [1] attempts to remove key provisions that would have ensured the Directive address the final energy consumption of households, industry, the service sector, and small businesses. \u00a0The report\u2019s focus on primary energy savings in power plants, transmission and distribution loses sight of the potential for citizens and final users to make gains.<\/p>\n The report seeks to impose a 35% energy efficiency target, which is far below the 40% previously supported by the European Parliament and Mr Gierek\u2019s own group: the S&D.<\/p>\n Changes proposed by the MEP go beyond the scope of the Directive, even attempting to redefine the entire concept of energy efficiency and the energy savings measure described in Article 7. Gierek\u2019s report instead attempts to create a tool to drive innovative investments in energy generating units: a clear attempt to subsidise coal.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, the report attempts to interfere with the Circular Economy package, Electricity Market Design, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and energy statistics. The Gierek report was published after a significant delay and difficulties in translation the rapporteur\u2019s text.<\/p>\n The draft opinion of the Environment Committee (ENVI) on the same Directive was drafted by the Swedish MEP Jytte Guteland. [2] The Guteland \u00a0report has already been discussed by the ENVI Committee, it calls for stronger action and proposes a 40% binding target and a strengthening of energy saving measures.<\/p>\n Notes to editors:<\/strong><\/p>\n