BELGIUM: EPEE has called for increasing targets for the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Renewable Energy Directive and for phasing out fossil fuels for heating and cooling.
In a position paper ahead of the European Commission’s Fit for 55 Package, EPEE makes recommendations on heating and cooling as the EU becomes carbon neutral by 2050.
Announced on July 14, Fit for 55 is the European Commission’s plan to put the EU on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030.
EPEE says it believes the Fit for 55 package represents a “unique opportunity” to further expand the heating and cooling sector’s energy efficiency benefits and renewable energy contribution. It states that a policy aimed at 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 should set a strong and ambitious target framework to align climate ambition and heat decarbonisation,” EPEE said in a statement. To this end, the association strongly recommends that the main and supporting objectives in both the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Renewable Energy Directive be increased and made binding, while phasing out fossil fuels in heating and cooling should be a priority in all relevant legislation.”
EPEE also calls for prices and taxes to support decarbonization efforts. “Carbon prices can amplify this effort, but must work in tandem with regulatory action,” the group says. “EPEE recommends that additional revenues from carbon pricing be used to overcome barriers to deploying efficient and renewable heating and cooling solutions, especially for vulnerable households.”
The position paper can be downloaded here.
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