The UK needs a European framework for energy efficiency

KnaufInsulation CEO Tony Robson asks why the Energy Efficiency Directive is not getting more support.

He describes the Directive as the “the most important piece of European legislation for jobs and recovery” , yet, he says it is not getting full support from Europe’s Energy Ministers.

Robson spoke to members of the Houses of Parliament last Tuesday (February 28), as part of ‘Common Sense Policy in an Age of Austerity – Why the UK needs a European Framework for Energy Efficiency’.

Representing both Knauf Insulation and the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE), which he chairs, Robson was joined by Caroline Lucas – the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion and Labour MP for Southampton Test. as well as the UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Policy, Ed Davey.

“At Knauf Insulation, we are totally behind this new law; if anything we believe it needs to go much further, particularly in supporting the renovation of the entire building stock,” he said.

“The Energy Efficiency Directive could be a crucial part of putting Europeans back to work and sparking recovery. This is why we can’t understand why Energy Ministers are not totally supporting the Directive.

“With the UK Government’s flagship scheme, Green Deal, launching later this year, it is essential for the UK construction industry as well as the environment that these initiatives and directives offer a drawn-up approach that effectively tackles reducing the UK’s and indeed Europe’s carbon emissions.

“The European Commission made a good proposal with the Energy Efficiency Directive and it looks like the European Parliament will strengthen it further. With Europe desperate for cost effective jobs and economic recovery, Energy Ministers need to start backing this new law.

“With evidence from Germany that every euro of government money spent on energy efficiency in buildings can deliver up to five euro back in taxes, Ministers should not be calling for a reduction in ambition regarding energy efficiency in buildings but rather should be proposing that we renovate buildings as fast and as deep as possible.”