Energy efficiency
EU countries reach tentative deal on landmark energy savings law
The EU's 27 energy ministers will aim to formalise a tentative deal on the bloc's energy efficiency directive at their meeting on Monday (27 June), opening the door to the first-ever legally binding target to increase energy savings in Europe.
Climate neutral within seven years: Lessons from Sønderborg
Sønderborg, a small Danish town lying just beyond the border with Germany, is a living example of a possible future for decarbonised towns – and a blueprint for study by policymakers the world over.
‘Renovictions’ loom as EU aims to boost building renovation
Confronted with an energy crisis and the need to rapidly decarbonise the building sector, the EU is now facing another threat: “renovictions," where tenants are forced out of houses or apartments due to rent increases imposed after renovation.
Habeck launches energy-saving campaign backed by leading associations
The German ministry for economy and climate action (BMWK) is launching an awareness campaign to further citizen energy savings. The campaign is backed by influential associations, yet shies away from regulatory measures.
EU urges quicker phase-out of gas boilers in bid to halt Russian energy imports
Government incentives for the installation of new fossil fuel boilers should be stopped “much more quickly” because of Russia's war in Ukraine, an EU official explained, saying the current 2027 end date is “far too late” and must be brought forward.
Germany presents energy efficiency ‘work plan’ to reduce fossil fuel demand
Amid growing pressure to reduce Germany’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels, the government presented plans on Tuesday (17 May) to save more energy, reports Clean Energy Wire.
Experts urge rethink of energy metrics to fully decarbonise buildings
Primary energy consumption is a metric that is commonly used worldwide, including by the European Commission. Most experts agree though that the metric is not fit for purpose when it comes to measuring energy use in buildings.
EU bets on local planning to boost district heating
District heating networks are set to receive a boost under draft EU legislation requiring all municipalities above 50,000 inhabitants to map out heating and cooling decarbonisation roadmaps.
Germany splits carbon tax for heating between landlords and tenants
Tenants living in well-insulated homes in Germany will have to shoulder the lion’s share of their CO2 costs for heating, while the burden in inefficient buildings will fall on landlords, reports Clean Energy Wire.
EU ready to increase energy efficiency target to eliminate Russian gas
The European Commission is revising the economic assumptions behind its energy and climate laws package presented last year, saying sky-high gas prices fuelled by the war in Ukraine have strengthened the case for more ambitious energy efficiency goals.
High energy costs intensify debate over EU plan to decarbonise heating and transport
A European Union plan to charge fuel suppliers for the CO2 emitted by cars and heating buildings is emerging as the most contentious element in a raft of climate change policies the bloc's member states are negotiating this year.
Power grid flexibility vital to ‘avoid blackouts’, EU’s Sefcovic says
Batteries and hydrogen can provide the necessary flexibility for Europe’s electricity grid to avoid blackouts in an energy system increasingly dominated by intermittent wind and solar, said Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission vice-president in charge of foresight.
Europe misspent business energy savings funds, auditors say
More than €2 billion of European Union funding to help businesses save energy contributed little to climate change targets and in some cases funded investments that would have happened anyway, auditors said on Monday (17 January).
EU’s new buildings law aims to renovate 15% least efficient homes
The European Commission has proposed the introduction of minimum energy performance standards for the 15% worst performing buildings in Europe, which would be rated “G” on the EU’s energy performance scale, whether they are residential or not.
EU warned against watering down climate ambition in buildings law
There are growing concerns that the European Commission is considering to water down a key piece of legislation that would drive emissions reductions in buildings ahead of its publication this week.
Energy saving schemes need better targeting at poorest households, experts say
The ongoing energy price crisis has exposed the vulnerability of low-income households, many of whom struggle to access financial support, experts said in a roundtable organised last week (2 December) by the Brussels-based Coalition for Energy Savings.
Green mortgages to help EU achieve climate goals
The EU has utilised portfolio standards to cut vehicle fleet emissions, and climate policy advisors are now pushing similar strategies for emissions reduction in buildings, via 'green' mortgages to finance deep renovations.
Energy ministers to hold first exchange on EU’s 2030 climate laws
In their first meeting since the European Commission tabled an overhaul of climate legislation in July, EU energy ministers are due to discuss two major files that will drive Europe’s push towards clean energy, according to a room document seen by EURACTIV.
Lights out for inefficient bulbs under new EU standards
Certain fluorescent and halogen light bulbs are being banned as of Wednesday (1 September) as new ecodesign and labelling rules come into force across the European Union.
EU bets on energy savings, greener buildings to meet climate target
The European Union will require countries to renovate energy-guzzling buildings faster and meet tougher targets on energy savings as part of its drive to meet its climate goals, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.
Industry: European electricity grid can handle 50 million heat pumps
Electric heat pumps can be deployed on a large scale in Europe without jeopardising grid stability while allowing greater integration of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency in buildings, according to the CEOs of major energy groups, including Spain’s Iberdrola, Italy’s Enel and France’s EDF.
EU’s building renovation wave hits administrative snag
Differing views within the European Commission on how the EU's unprecedented recovery fund can be spent, and a rush to translate national spending plans from their original language, risk slowing down the EU's building renovation wave, experts say.
Helsinki bets on electrification to decarbonise heating
Electricity from heat pumps, combined with a shift to renewables in district heat networks, emerged as the winning technologies to drive the Finnish capital’s transition to carbon neutrality by 2035.