EPEE backs 55% cut in emissions

EUROPE: EPEE, the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment, has applauded the revised greenhouse gas emission reduction target set by new European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. 

In her State of the Union address today, outlining her vision for the future of the EU, von der Leyen called for a cut of at least 55% by 2030, a significant increase on the current goal of 40%.

With buildings representing 40% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, EPEE maintains that cooling and heating have a major role to play in achieving this target.

Welcoming the new initiative, Andrea Voigt, director general of EPEE, said: “Heating and cooling are crucial to achieve carbon neutrality and the good news is that technologies are readily available. 

“It will be key for the broad deployment of these technologies – to achieve a sustainable cold chain for food and medicines, thermal comfort in our buildings and health and well-being for all.

“The Renovation Wave, the Energy System Integration Strategy and the review of climate and energy legislation such as the Renewable Energies Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive will provide major opportunities to pave the way towards sustainable heating and cooling. In parallel, it will be important to keep up ambition not only by increasing the greenhouse gas emission target, but also by revising the targets for renewable energies and energy efficiency accordingly,” Voigt concluded.