GAP-JOURNAL 2012/13 - AFA

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20% increase in energy efficiency
Improvements in energy efficiency are seen as akey mechanism for reducing energy
dependence and meeting sustainability and security of supply (Evans and Hunt 2011:
144).
The 2020 target of saving 20% ofthe EUʼs primary energy consumption (compared to
projections made in 2007) was not legally binding for Member States. After years of
growth, primary energy consumption peaked at 1.825 million tonnes ofoil equivalent
(Mtoe) in 2005/2006 and has been slightly decreasingsince 2007 to reach 1.730 Mtoe in
2011. This trend istraced back to the economic crisis and to the effectiveness ofexistingpolicies.
(European Commission 2013b: 5)
With the adoption ofthe Energy Efficiency Directive in2012, there is now acomprehensive
legislative framework at EU level which needs tobefully implemented by
Member States. The Directive will help to drive progress inthis area and forces Member
States’ efforts to use energy more efficiently atall stages of the energy chain –from
the transformation ofenergy and its distribution toits final consumption. EU countries
will have to transpose the rules into national law within one year. The progress made in
achieving EUʼs 20% energy saving target in 2020 will be reviewed in2014 by the
Commission. Ifthe Member State’s policies are insufficient, mandatory national energy
efficiencytargets will be proposed. (European Commission 2013b: 5)
The central challenge isthe lack of appropriate tools for monitoring progress and measuring
impacts onthe Member State level. Afurther major challenge isthe lack of funds
required to ensure continued progress. (Fischer and Geden 2013: 7)
Discussion and conclusion
In the light of the growing world population, climate change and limited resources,
meeting the world’s growing demand for energy isone of the biggest challenges weare
facing today. Accordingly, new policies and technology issues were examined to make
energy systems moresustainable forfuture generations.
European Member States have committed themselves toreducing greenhouse gas emissions
by20%, increasing the share of renewable energy inthe EUʼs energy mix to
20%,and achieving the 20% energyefficiency target by 2020. The analyses have shown
that the EUiscurrently on track to meet the GHG emissions and renewable energy