49 Amendments of Theresa GRIFFIN related to 2015/2232(INI)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to the Paris Agreement made in December 2015 at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UNFCCC,
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission report of 18 November 2015 entitled "Assessment of the progress made by Member States towards the national energy efficiency targets for 2020 and towards the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU as required by Article 24 (3) of Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU",COM(2015) 574,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas increased energy efficiency, as the first fuel, and energy saving are key factors for environmental and climate protection and supply securi, industrial competitiveness, job creation, security of energy supply, and tackling energy poverty; whereas the Energy Efficiency Directive provides an important basis in this connection;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU is making goodshould speed up its progress towards its environmental targets for 2020 (reducing CO2 emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency) and is playing ashould maintain its leading role at world level;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU is making good progress towards its environmental targets for 20202020 energy and climate change targets (reducing CO2 emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency) and is playing a leading role at world level;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the current projections suggest the EU will fail to reach its 2020 20% energy efficiency target with Member States commitments adding up only to 17.6% primary energy saving unless existing EU legislation is fully implemented, efforts are accelerated and existing barriers for energy efficiency investments are removed;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1
Subheading 1
Energy Efficiency Directive only inadequately implemented – savings targets achieved nonethelesas framework for energy savings
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that up to now neither the 2012the Energy Efficiency Directive nor the 2010 Buildremaings Directive have been adequateto be fully implemented by the Member States; considers, therefore, that one reason why the energy efficiency targets are being achieved lies in the fact that citizens and undertakings themselves have an interest in low energy consumption and cutting cos and as a result the 2020 energy efficiency target is not on track to be met; Notes that it is in the interest of citizens and undertakings to reduce their energy consumption and cut costs but they cannot achieve this on their own; thus highlights the importance of a strong regulatory framework consisting of both targets and measures in order to incentivise and enable investments;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that any assessment of the implementation of the EED can at this stage offer only a partial view given its relatively recent entry into force and deadline for transposition;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Stresses that the lack of a long term outlook beyond 2020 has hindered implementation of energy efficiency legislation; notes that to ensure predictability and investor stability and continuation of the EED framework beyond 2020 is essential;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the directive’'s so-called flexibility has allowed many Member States to embark on energy efficiency measures, in the form of loopholes, has seriously undermined energy efficiency measures and put in jeopardy the achievement of the 2020 target;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights the case of Article 7 where the combined effect of loopholes has resulted in the effective saving targets being only half (0.75%) of the headline annual saving rate of 1.5%; recommends removing these loopholes when the directive is revised;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Highlights that the provision in Article 7 whereby Member States may require a share of energy efficiency measures to be implemented as a priority in households affected by energy poverty or in social housing has so far been used by only two Member States; calls for this provision to be strengthened and for a significant percentage of energy savings under energy efficiency obligation schemes to be targeted at low-income consumers; suggests a parallel provision for energy efficiency national funds and any alternative measures;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Suggests that national energy efficiency action plans, as required in article 24 of the current directive, could ask Member States to set objectives to make use of energy efficiency measures to reduce the risk of energy poverty and report on how they are meeting these objectives;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Believes that the measures for energy- efficient renovation of existing buildings need to be prioritised among the most energy-poor; calls on the Commission to propose a target to improve the efficiency of residential building stock, alongside future minimum efficiency standards for rented housing in the context of the revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that 2416 Member States have made use of the possibility of alternative measures to thechosen to establish an energy efficiency obligation scheme (Article 7), and 18 Member States have preferred alternative measures to the renovation quota (Article 5); criticises the fact that seven Member States have still not introduced energy audits (Article 8);
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Suggests that Article 5 on the exemplary role of public buildings should apply to all public buildings, and not just those in central government;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Welcomes the fact that energy audits and energy management schemes under Article 8 are helping to make EU companies more competitive; calls for the implementation of cost-effective energy audit recommendations to be required in conjunction with planned maintenance, with additional incentives provided where necessary, and for Article 8 to be extended to cover all companies with high energy consumption;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that some key elements of the Energy Efficiency Directive (smart meters, cogeneration, renovation plans) need more timea stable framework beyond 2020 in order to givenable administrations and undertakings an opportunity to launch projects and innovations with a longer-term perspective to 2030 and 2050;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Emphasises the crucial role of consumers, citizens and DSO's in the ever more decentralised energy landscape and the importance of their involvement for reaching the energy efficiency targets; stresses therefore that more action needs to be taken to enhance their role through, amongst others, facilitating demand response, small scale storage, building refurbishments and district heating and cooling schemes, both on an individual as well as on a cooperative base;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. In the light of the solutions provided by ESCOs to industries and utilities, allowing those to attain energy savings and sustainable energy projects without having to pay high up-front costs, recommends applying analogous on-bill repayment schemes to retail consumers; in this way, financial institutions or DSO's bear the upfront costs, which are repaid to them periodically by the consumer when the benefits of the investments are reached through lower energy bills, allowing consumers to save energy and money at the same time and helping to reach our climate and energy goals; by linking the on-bill repayment system to the EAN-code instead of the consumer, split incentives between tenants and owners and transaction costs are circumvented;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out thatStresses the Energy Efficiency Directive became an Energy Saving Directive as a result of political decisions; calls for the focus of the directive to be turned more towards energy efficiency considerationsed for savings made under the EED to be additional, verifiable and deliverable, avoiding double- counting; is concerned at the EPRS study for the European Parliament indicating that out of the notified savings only 14% have been rated as fully eligible and up to 86% of all savings are partially at risk of not being realised;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Reminds that 40% of final energy is used in buildings, of which 50% goes to heating and cooling. More than 60% of imported gas is destined for buildings and buildings account for 36% of CO2 emissions. In order to reach our energy and climate goals, refurbishing our building stock is thus crucial. Moreover, it will boost our economy and help us reach the re-industrialisation goals with the potential of an average 0,8% EU GDP growth and up to- €830 billion in increased turnover per year for the construction sector creating up to 2 million local jobs by 2020;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that buildings account for 40% of energy use in the EU, and that improving the energy efficiency of buildings is therefore of prime importance in reducing CO2 emissions and improving energy security, as well as ending energy poverty and improving health;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Underlines that 85% of the energy consumption within a building is required for space heating and domestic hot water and that it is therefore necessary to accelerate the modernisation of old and inefficient heating systems in Europe in order to deliver at least 20% energy efficiency gains with available technologies, including renewable heating systems;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Points out that energy saving rules and rules on increased use of renewable energy sources have a direct and indirect impact on the carbon footprint and the ETS system (certificate prices); notes that low ETS certificate prices reduce the incentives for investment in energy savingthe EU ETS covers 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions, while other legislation and instruments, such as the EED, deal with the remaining 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in the sectors covered by the effort sharing decision; therefore, actions taken in that field, such as enhancing energy efficiency in buildings, are complementary to the ETS;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that uncoordinated national legislation (exit from coal, payment schemes for renewable energy, capacity markets)may restricts the scope for European solutions that provide the best possible results in terms of cost and supply and cancels out the price advantages obtained throughreate environmental and price advantages through increased cooperation and energy savings; calls for increased possibilities for bindingregional cooperation and coordination by the Commission;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Is concerned that European electricity prices for medium-sized industrial and business customers and private consumers are among the highest in the worldPoints out that investing in energy efficiency can boost the competitiveness of European industrial and businesses and reduce the cost of energy for private consumers;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Notes that energy efficiency can be the best energy 'source' investment improving affordability of energy, driving down the need for additional and costly infrastructure and tackling climate change; stresses that the focus should be on measures targeting long-term savings which are cost-effective;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Energy legislation needs to be more coherent and more flexibleambitious
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Calls on the Commission to treat energy efficiency as an infrastructure priority, recognising its nature and making it a crucial factor in future investments decision in Europe's energy infrastructure;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that a barrier-free internal energy marketfunctional internal energy market, including internal market for energy efficiency services, will optimise the costs of energy production and distribution and significantly improve energy efficiency across Europe;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Points to the EPRS report for the European Parliament which finds that most of the established EEOS have demonstrably been important in delivering national energy efficiency improvement and have delivered cost- effective savings to large numbers of households and organisations; also highlights the conclusion made that EEOS are highly cost-effective and that there is evidence that well-designed and implemented EEOS can deliver up to 100% of a country's Article 7 savings; suggests therefore that the Commission should compile a list of good and bad practices and develop a set of criteria to ensure well-designed and effective EEOS;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Stresses that if Member States establish a levy funded energy efficiency scheme, a minimum threshold should be targeted towards households affected by energy poverty; Stresses that Member States should demonstrate how the levy funded energy efficiency scheme is contributing to improving the worst of the existing domestic housing stock;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes the view that more flexibility is needed in order to reach the EU’s climate protection and efficiency targets; calls for ‘target flexibility’ for Member States; takes the view that rebates should be available for targets relating to energy saving and increasing the share of renewable energy sources (Article 3 of the Energy Efficiency Directive) where for example the CO2 targets have been exceededEmphasises the repeated request of the European Parliament for a binding energy efficiency target of 40% which is needed in order to reach the EU's climate and energy goals and COP 21 commitment;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Takes the view that more flexibility ias needed in order to reach the EU’s climate protection and efficiency targets; calls for ‘target flexibility’ for Member States; takes the view that rebates should be available for targets relating to energy saving and increasing the share of renewable energy sources (Article 3 of the Energy Efficiency Directive) where for example the CO2 targets have been exceededregards binding measures could be envisaged in the context on an overall ambitious binding energy efficiency target at EU level, translated in to individual national targets; highlights however that the continued lack of such a target necessitates strong measures at EU level;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls in this connection for the Energy Efficiency Directive to be adapt strengthened in line with the EU’s climate protectionuropean Parliament's proposed binding 40% energy efficiency targets for 2030;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Urges the Commission to apply a cost-benefit analysis with a societal perspective when modelling different levels of energy efficiency targets, given that this is the only way to incorporate costs and benefits of energy efficiency in a balanced and realistic way; notes that this approach is currently missing in the Commission's impact assessment for revising the Energy Efficiency Directive;
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for an exchange of ideas and best practices among Member States on the saving obligations and building and renovation plans (Articles 4, 5, 6 and 7) with the aim of applying existing instruments (tax incentives, support programmes, model contracts) more quickly; calls for Commission guidelines for future national plans to ensure transparency and comparability, and integration of energy efficiency policies from all levels of government;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Considers energy audits for businesses to be a proven means of boosting energy efficiency; stresses the benefits of energy audits and energy management schemes for competitiveness of EU´s industry; calls for a uniform definition and enforcement of the criteria set out in Article 8 (definition of SME, audits, no double certification for cross-border business structures);
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Welcomes the fact that the Commission is working on guidelines for the implementation of Articles 9 to 11 of the Energy Efficiency Directive in order to help consumers to better control their energy consumption; considers cost transparency – taking account of cost- effectiveness and technical feasibility – to be a prerequisite for energy saving; takes the view that this topic could potentially be included in the Buildings Directive;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Points out that consumers' energy bills are still unclear and inaccurate; recommends improving the transparency and clarity of bills by establishing high level principles for bills at the EU level so that key information is available to consumers in a comparable format in order to adjust consumption patterns; stresses that consumers have a diverse range of preferences and of accessible tools so the approach to information should be shaped by consumer research at the national level;
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Call for minimum national energy efficiency standards for low income households;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Calls for extra support to be provided to assist fuel poor customers manage the costs of replacing less energy efficient appliances and investing in home energy efficiency and self-generation schemes;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 d (new)
Paragraph 20 d (new)
20d. Calls for rigorous quality assurance standards, national training programmes and single, simplified national certification systems for energy efficiency providers, supported by joined up and easy to access advice and redress frameworks[MS(1] [MS(1]This is proposed in order to remove some of the non-financial barriers to the consumer take up of energy efficiency products and services: i.e. to identify trusted traders;