Heating and cooling can make EU Fit for 55
10th July 2021BELGIUM: EPEE has called for Energy Efficiency Directive and Renewable Energy Directive targets to be increased and the phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling prioritised.
In a position paper ahead of the European Commission’s Fit for 55 Package, EPEE provides recommendations on heating and cooling as the EU moves towards climate neutrality by 2050.
Due to be announced on July 14, Fit for 55 is the European Commission’s plan to set the EU on course to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.
EPEE says it believes the Fit for 55 package presents a “unique opportunity” to further extend the energy efficiency benefits and renewable energy contribution of the heating and cooling sector. It maintains that a policy targeting higher energy efficiency and a switch from fossil-based heat supply to renewable sources is necessary to make it a success.
“The EU policy framework must set a strong and ambitious target framework to align climate ambition and heat decarbonisation,” EPEE says in a statement. “To this end, the association strongly recommends that headline and supportive targets in both the Energy Efficiency Directive and Renewable Energy Directive are increased and made binding while the phase out of fossil fuels in heating and cooling should be prioritised across all relevant legislation.”
EPEE also calls for prices and taxation to support decarbonisation efforts. “Carbon pricing can bolster this effort but must work together with regulatory measures,” the group says. “EPEE recommends that additional revenues from carbon pricing are used to overcome barriers in order to deploy efficient and renewable heating and cooling solutions, particularly for vulnerable households.”
The position paper can be downloaded here.
