Press Release

							Press Release                                                               For immediate Release
     Deal on EU Energy Efficiency Directive met with cautious optimism by Business leaders

Brussels, 14 June 2012: Some of Europe’s leading businesses have expressed cautious optimism over yesterday’s
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long-awaited deal on the EU Energy Efficiency Directive .

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Speaking on behalf of the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE ), a grouping of prominent business leaders,
politicians and campaigners, President, Monica Frassoni said: “The Danish Presidency and the European
Parliament have worked hard to reach a compromise with the Council over the last weeks as some EU Member
States made several last minute attempts to water-down or block the Directive’s flagship measures whilst some
others played a more positive role. But, thanks also to the efforts of progressive businesses to demonstrate the huge
benefits of energy efficiency using existing technologies, it seems that at least part of the message has finally been
understood; this Directive and its measures have potential for jobs and sustainable growth and could boost
European competitiveness if properly implemented.”

Amoung the most important measures are a much weakened agreement for an EU-wide energy supplier obligation
scheme and a requirement to put in place national building renovation roadmaps by 2050; a proposal that could
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create over half a million jobs in Europe’s ailing construction sector according to industry representatives .

Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of Danfoss said: “Energy efficiency is fundamentally an instrument to increase the
competitiveness and effectiveness of Europe and its businesses. However, the market needs certainty to flourish and
truly deliver the potential we all know it has. That is why the political signal of an ambitious Energy Efficiency
Directive that includes longer-term roadmaps is so important."

Chairman of EU-ASE and CEO of Knauf Insulation Tony Robson said: “Member States have been blowing hot and
cold on this proposal for far too long. Of course, they could have gone much further, but the measures agreed will
at least start to give the business community the regulatory guarantees they need to help private investment to
flow - particularly into buildings which hold the most cost and energy saving potential”.

European Energy Ministers will meet to endorse the Directive in Luxembourg tomorrow (15 June).

Frassoni ended: “This isn't a time to rest on our laurels; the European Commission and EU Member States have a
very important task ahead not only to ensure that this important law is enforced properly, they must also find other
ways to help the EU reach its energy efficiency targets by 2020 and meet its 2050 decarbonization goals since this
Directive will only fill half of the EU’s energy efficiency gap. Working closely with the business community will be
central to this and we will remain active and mobilized”.

ENDS

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Contacts and Media Enquiries

Siân Hughes                                                 Michael Villa
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Notes to the Editor
i
     http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/eed/eed_en.htm
ii
  The European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) was established at the United Nations Climate Change Conference
in December 2010. Founders include leading European companies such as 1E, Danfoss, Knauf Insulation, Philips
Lighting, Schneider Electric and Siemens, and prominent NGOs and foundations including the European Climate
Foundation and Kyoto Club.
iii
  The construction industry estimates that the equivalent of up to 530,000 full time jobs would be created in
Europe through an ambitious strategy to improve energy efficiency in buildings by 2020.
www.eurima.org/do-the-maths




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