10 July 2012: ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDUSTRY: SECURE EARMARKING FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS IN THE STRUCTURAL FUNDS (11.07.2012)

Policy-makers have the option of putting the EU funds towards Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

On 11^th and 12^th July, members of the REGI Committee in the European Parliament will vote on 6 reports on Cohesion Policy. These reports will shape the investment priorities of EU spending for Europe’s regions over the next 7 years.

Policy-makers have the option of putting the EU funds towards a revenue-generating activity that will leverage more private investments and boost growth by creating local non exportable jobs, thereby improving regional imbalances within the EU: Energy Efficiency in Buildings.

With this aim in mind, EuroACE, Eurima, Glass for Europe and PU Europe urge the REGI Committee to maintain strong earmarking in support of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, by

1) Avoiding the dilution of the climate thematic concentration to include fossil fuels and green transport

2) Raising the thematic concentration to 20 % for Less Developed Regions and 30 % for More Developed Regions

3) Securing half of eligible money for Energy Efficient Renovation of Buildings

Investing EU funds in Energy Efficiency in buildings is an opportunity to tackle both the climate and economic challenges in Europe’s regions.

Economic challenges: Successful schemes of using public money as a leverage to unlock private financing have shown that €1 of public investment in energy efficiency in buildings brings up to €5 additional budget revenue. In addition, the job creation potential demonstrates that €1 million invested in ambitious energy efficiency measures leads to the creation of 19 jobs.

Climate challenges: With buildings representing 40 % of EU energy consumption and 36 % of GHG emissions, energy efficiency in buildings is one of the most cost-effective measures to achieve both great energy savings and cut CO₂ emissions, and to reduce Europe’s energy dependency on foreign imports.

Lack of funding remains the main hurdle for energy efficiency to be implemented. EU funding from the Structural Funds is instrumental in providing that first euro which is needed, but often missing, to leverage private funding in Europe’s regions. Committing EU funds with a long-term perspective is also crucial to increasing the confidence of stakeholders to trigger investment in energy efficiency in buildings across Europe.

Invest the EU Structural Funds in energy efficiency in buildings to stimulate jobs and growth, increase energy savings and improve regional imbalances in Europe.

EuroACE:
EuroACE, the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, is comprised of Europe’s leading companies involved with the manufacture, distribution and installation of energy saving goods and services. EuroACE members have a total turnover of about 140 billion Euros and employ around 172,000 people in Europe alone. The mission of EuroACE is to work together with the European institutions to help Europe move towards a more sustainable pattern of energy use in buildings, thereby contributing to Europe’s commitments on climate change, energy security and economic growth.
Contact: Adrian Joyce, EuroACE Secretary General, adrian.joyce@euroace.org, +32 2 639 10 15

Eurima:
Eurima is the European Insulation Manufacturers Association and represents the interests of all major mineral wool producers throughout Europe. Eurima members manufacture a wide range of mineral wool products for the thermal and acoustic insulation and fire protection of domestic and commercial buildings and industrial facilities. Eurima was established in 1959 to promote improved standards and regulations for the use of insulation materials. More recently, it has developed to reflect the growing environmental concerns of society.
Contact: Jan Te Bos, Eurima Secretary General, jan.tebos@eurima.org, +32 2 626 20 90

Glass for Europe:
Glass for Europe is the trade association for Europe’s manufacturers of flat glass. Flat glass is the material that goes into a variety of end-products and primarily in windows and façades for buildings, windscreens and windows for automotive and transport as well as glass covers, connectors and mirrors for solar-energy equipments. State-of-the-art glass technologies can play a vital role in achieving the EU’s energy efficiency and renewable targets and promotes ambitious mechanisms to support the market uptake of energy-efficient technologies.
Contact: Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General, bertrand.cazes@glassforeurope.com, +32 2 538 43 77

PU Europe:
PU-Europe is the European association representing the polyurethane (PU) insulation industry. PU insulation products help to save energy in a wide variety of applications in buildings, district heating, cooling, refrigeration and industrial systems. Its membership comprises both SMEs and large multinational companies. PU Europe members have a total turnover of Euro 4 billion and provide 17,000 direct jobs.
Contact: Oliver Loebel, PU Europe Secretary General, loebel@pu-europe.eu, +32 2 676 72 71

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