Newsroom / CNA
MEPs approved today's plans, already agreed with the Council, that set new energy-saving targets for 2030, as part of the European Green Deal. Today’s plenary session of the European Parliament adopted the legislation by 471 votes to 147, with 17 abstentions and it will now also have to be endorsed by the Council of Ministers before it can enter into force. MEPs emphasized the need for measures in the public sector.
Member states will have to collectively ensure a reduction in energy consumption of at least 11.7% at the EU level by 2030, compared to the projections of the 2020 Reference Scenario. A robust monitoring and enforcement mechanism will accompany this objective to make sure member states deliver on their national contributions to this binding EU target.
By 2030, member states need to save on average 1.5% per year. The annual energy savings will begin at 1.3% in the period until the end of 2025, and will progressively reach 1.9% in the last period up to the end of 2030.
The saving targets should be met through local, regional, and national measures, in different sectors, such as the public administration, the buildings, the businesses, and the data centers. MEPs insisted that the scheme should in particular cover the public sector, which will have to reduce its final energy consumption by 1.9% each year.
Member states should also ensure that at least 3% of public buildings are renovated each year into nearly-zero energy buildings or zero-emission buildings. The directive also establishes new requirements for efficient district heating systems.
