The European Union is poised to set a headline target for energy efficiency of 30% compared to ‘business as usual’, according to reports.
International news agency Reuters reported that it had seen a draft document drawn up by EU regulator that would propose the target, an extension of the 27% target established in October 2014.
The reduction in energy use would form part of wider proposals to set more ambitious targets for reductions in emissions, prevent waste and promote the use of renewable energy.
In July this year a coalition of major businesses wrote to the European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker to demand more ambitious energy efficiency targets for 2030, lobbying him to establish a target “well above the current non-binding 27%”.
The letter, coordinated by the European Alliance to Save Energy, was co-signed by the likes of Kingspan, Knauf Insulation and Veolia, and called upon the EU to set the 2030 target at 40%.
However it remains unclear whether the renewed efficiency targets will apply to a post-Brexit UK due to their inclusion in the EU’s energy efficiency directive, which only applies to member states.
