Ahead of the European Commission’s post-2030 energy framework proposal expected by the end of the year, we, joined by more than 90 industry associations and civil society organisations active at European and national level, called on President Ursula von der Leyen in an open letter to anchor the framework with a binding 2040 EU energy efficiency target.  

The EU energy efficiency target must be ambitious and aligned with the trajectory needed to deliver the new 2040 target and climate neutrality by 2050, with energy efficiency, renewables and electrification advancing together. Energy efficiency and savings are our first resource: they stabilise prices, reduce import dependence and lower exposure to volatility in the fossil fuel market. A strong and credible energy efficiency target is crucial for energy security and industrial competitiveness. We urge the Commission to enshrine a binding 2040 target as the consistent, long-term signal needed to unlock investment, strengthen manufacturing and give businesses and citizens the confidence to invest in energy efficiency solutions. 

• Joint Letter: A 2040 EU Energy Efficiency Target: the European Union’s First Line of Defence (pdf)