The EU’s Climate and Energy goals for 2030 : Commission talks the talk but walks away from its responsibilities

The EU’s Climate and Energy goals for 2030 

Commission talks the talk but walks away from its responsibilities

Brussels 22 January 2014: Today the European Commission has once again chosen to ignore its own words on the need for a cost-effective approach to climate and energy by failing to set a clear long-term target for energy efficiency its White Paper on the EU’s Climate and Energy goals for 2030.

President José Manuel Barroso claimed at the press launch of the White Paper in Brussels today to be presenting a package that is “both ambitious and affordable”. But by only announcing an EU-wide target for renewables and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the Commission is again supporting measures that cost the most above the most sensible way to a low-carbon and energy-secure future; energy efficiency.

“Consumers across the EU are crying out for governments to bring down energy bills. It is inexcusable that the Commission has proposed a way forward that will drive costs up while ignoring energy efficiency – the only guaranteed, cost neutral way to drive competitiveness through reduced energy costs,” said Tony Robson, CEO of Knauf Insulation.

Energy efficiency has been cited by the International Energy Agency as not just a hidden fuel but the world’s “first fuel”, but the Commission has yet again failed to take the opportunity to unlock this incredible resource and share the huge benefits it could deliver.

Again the Commission has failed to follow its own rhetoric and provide industry with a clear signal that Europe is a place where we can and should invest in energy efficiency industries and technology.

Again the Commission has decided that paying unemployment benefits is preferable to generating employment within the EU.

“The Commission has today taken the decision that our current policy of transferring wealth from EU consumers to manufacturers outside the EU whilst ignoring the huge number of jobless EU citizens will continue” added Tony Robson.

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Siân Hughes 
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Head of EU Public Affairs and Corporate Communications