Parliament calls for binding EU energy-saving goal

Green MEP Yannick Jadot (France) said the resolution was "a timely and powerful reminder" to the European Commission and member states of the importance of a binding energy savings goal in responding to energy security and climate challenges, as well as creating jobs and savings in energy bills.

"Until now, member states have been reneging on their pledge to reduce energy consumption [by] 20% by 2020 by making insufficient progress. Making the target binding will help ensure EU governments actually deliver on this potential, as it has with renewable energy," he said.

"Today's vote in the European Parliament has backed energy efficiency as the best and fastest route to green jobs, reduced import dependence and real reductions in CO2 emissions. Now the pressure is on the European Commission to recommend a binding 2020 target for energy savings in the Energy Efficiency Action Plan due next March," said Brook Riley from green group Friends of the Earth Europe.

WWF also commended the call for a binding target. Arianna Vitali of WWF said it is the only way to "define the clear obligation to deliver the energy savings that EU citizens and industries are waiting for".

But European SME association UEAPME warned that the recommendation on the extension of the Eco-design Directive may be "a step too far" for them, which they said requires an impact assessment on its consequences for SMEs.

They also said that the Commission should not take on board the recommendation for a modal shift in transport policy but instead revert to a "co-modality" approach.

"Each mode of transport has its own competitive advantages and depending on the segment it is not necessarily possible to shift freight or passenger transport from one mode to another. That is why an indiscriminate shift to low energy transport modes, as recommended by the Parliament, is not a realistic option," said Guido Lena, sustainable development director at UEAPME.

The European Insulation Manufacturers Association (Eurima) argued that the binding target called for by the Parliament represents an "essential step towards putting an end to the enormous waste of energy and natural resources from EU buildings". It commended MEPs for also putting forward a number of ambitious measures in the building sector.

"With this vote, the European Parliament shows - once again - its political leadership and vision. It is widely accepted that only half of the 20% target would be reached in 2020 if no ambitious action is taken. Meanwhile, technologies to achieve this target already exist. It's just about political conviction," said Jan te Bos, Eurima director-general.