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EU Decides to Reduce by 11.7% the Energy Consumption
After 2 years of discussions with stakeholders and negotiations with European Parliament and between Member States, the Council of the EU confirmed by a vote the agreement reached.
On 25 July 2023, the Council of the EU adopted new rules to reduce final energy consumption at EU level by 42.5% in 2030 compared to the projections of the 2007 Reference Scenario, so that the Union’s final energy consumption amounts to no more than 740 Mtoe in 2030 and the Union’s primary energy consumption amounts to no more than 960 Mtoe in 2030.
By Federico Licandro Sirtori
Brussels, 2 August 2023 - 5 MINUTES READ
Brussels, 2 August 2023 - 5 MINUTES READ
After 2 year of negotiations, the Council of the EU, which is composed by the 27 ministers competent for energy, approved by majority the agreement reach with the European Parliament on a new Directive on Energy efiiciency in Europe.
The EU decided to accelerate its energy transition to effectively reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate neutrality. Saving energy and reducing its consumption are as crucial as shifting to cleaner forms of energy and to reach the Fit for 55 package objectives. By this decision, the emissions should be reduced by 55% compared to 1990 levels.
The Council agreed on a general approach on the revision of the directive in June 2022. A provisional agreement with the European Parliament was reached in March 2023. In July 2023, the Council adopted the new directive.
The EU decided to accelerate its energy transition to effectively reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate neutrality. Saving energy and reducing its consumption are as crucial as shifting to cleaner forms of energy and to reach the Fit for 55 package objectives. By this decision, the emissions should be reduced by 55% compared to 1990 levels.
The Council agreed on a general approach on the revision of the directive in June 2022. A provisional agreement with the European Parliament was reached in March 2023. In July 2023, the Council adopted the new directive.
Each EU member state will play a role in achieving the overall EU target for climate neutrality. They will establish indicative national contributions and trajectories as part of their integrated national energy and climate plans (NECPs). The updated draft NECPs were scheduled for submission in June 2023, and the final plans are due in 2024.
The method for determining national contributions towards the target, as defined in Annex I of the proposal, will be indicative, allowing for a potential deviation of up to 2.5%.
To ensure that all contributions collectively meet the 11.7% target, the Commission will assess the cumulative effect. If any shortfalls are identified, the Commission will make adjustments to the national contributions that fall below what they would have been if the formula had been used (referred to as the gap-filling mechanism).
The formula used to calculate these contributions considers factors such as energy intensity, GDP per capita, the progress of renewable energy development, and the potential for energy savings, among other elements.
The method for determining national contributions towards the target, as defined in Annex I of the proposal, will be indicative, allowing for a potential deviation of up to 2.5%.
To ensure that all contributions collectively meet the 11.7% target, the Commission will assess the cumulative effect. If any shortfalls are identified, the Commission will make adjustments to the national contributions that fall below what they would have been if the formula had been used (referred to as the gap-filling mechanism).
The formula used to calculate these contributions considers factors such as energy intensity, GDP per capita, the progress of renewable energy development, and the potential for energy savings, among other elements.
Extra content with PREMIUM version:
-> What are the practical measures to reduce consumption?
-> Some EU countries against or skepticals
-> Statistics
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Source: © European Union, 1995-2023
Source: © European Union, 1995-2023
