EU's 30% Energy Savings target is not ambitious enough, says HCWH Europe

Brussels, 23 July 2014 – Today the European Commission launched a proposal for an indicative 30% energy savings target, completing the 2030 climate and energy proposal from January 2014.[1] Today’s Communication on energy efficiency and its contribution to energy security and the 2030 framework also takes stock of the progress towards the European Union's 20% indicative energy efficiency target for 2020 (most likely to be missed).

Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe is concerned with the latest developments. It is highly unfortunate that the Commission ignored the voices of a broad range of stakeholders calling for an ambitious and binding energy savings target.  HCWH Europe has already warned that an unambitious framework with weak targets would mean that the huge potential of the health system to save energy and to mitigate the impact of climate change is left untapped. This would eventually put more strain on EU healthcare systems due to the negative effects of climate change.

EU heads of state or governments are expected to decide on the three proposed targets in the 2030 climate and energy policy framework at the October European Council meeting.  HCWH Europe is calling for three ambitious and binding targets of at least 55% greenhouse gas emission reductions, 45% renewable energy deployment and 40% energy savings.

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[1]On 22 January 2014, in its Communication on ‘A policy framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030’ the European Commission set out a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% below the 1990 level, a EU-wide binding target for renewable energy of at least 27%, renewed ambitions for energy efficiency policies, a new governance system and a set of new indicators to ensure a competitive and secure energy system.