Berlin – Ahead of tomorrow’s EU energy summit of heads of state and government in Brussels, a broad alliance of environmental, social, business, and consumer organizations, as well as labor unions, has called on Chancellor Angela Merkel to advocate for ambitious and legally binding energy-saving targets. The EU’s plan to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent by 2020 is the only one of the three EU climate targets that remains legally non-binding to this day. As a result, member states are not pursuing the target with sufficient vigor. Recent studies show that, without additional efforts, the EU will fall short of its energy-saving target by more than half.
The organizations criticized the national energy-saving target reported by the German federal government to the European Commission as far too low. In early January, Germany announced in Brussels that it was aiming for energy savings of approximately 38 million metric tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) by 2020. In its Energy Concept, however, the federal government had previously announced plans to reduce primary energy consumption by 62 Mtoe (20 percent compared to 2008) by 2020. “This means the federal government has apparently already abandoned its Energy Concept after just 100 days,” criticized NABU Federal Executive Director Leif Miller.
Only through a legally binding efficiency target and ambitious energy-saving measures can Germany achieve its climate goals and become less dependent on energy imports. With additional measures, Germany could avoid the need for ten large power plants by 2020. “An energy policy that simply ignores the vast potential for energy savings is on the wrong track, not only in terms of climate policy but also economically,” said BUND Chairman Hubert Weiger.
Consumers, too, would benefit from a policy that consistently focuses on reducing energy consumption across all sectors and facilitates investment. “With rising energy prices, more and more households are struggling to pay their energy bills. Well-insulated buildings, energy-efficient appliances, and fuel-efficient cars would ease the burden on consumers,” explained Gerd Billen, Executive Director of the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv). Furthermore, according to a study by the IFEU Institute, an ambitious efficiency policy would create a quarter of a million jobs in Germany.
The associations called for special efforts regarding the existing building stock. Climate targets in this area can only be achieved with sufficient funding and gradually increased, long-term minimum standards for buildings. Furthermore, positive incentives should be provided for exceeding the minimum standards, and enforcement should be strengthened. “Germany must expand its successful subsidy programs for energy-efficient building retrofits instead of cutting them. Only in this way can the immense potential that this sector offers for the climate and jobs be realized,” demanded Klaus Wiesehügel, federal chairman of IG BAU. “Energy-efficient building retrofits are a shared responsibility that must be borne by everyone—the government, property owners, and tenants,” added Lukas Siebenkotten of the German Tenants’ Association.
According to the associations, special attention must be paid to the situation of low-income households. “All measures to increase energy efficiency must be designed in a socially responsible manner. Low-income households must receive special support in saving energy,” explained Caritas President Dr. Peter Neher.
