Implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) : energy efficiency obligation schemes : European implementation assessment

Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce emissions, improve energy security and competitiveness, make energy consumption more affordable for consumers as well as create employment, including in export industries, stated the European Commission in 2010 in its "Energy 2020 strategy". A year later the Commission presented the proposal for a directive on energy efficiency, which entered into force on 4 December 2012. Three years later, this European Implementation Assessment has been published to assist the ITRE Committee in scrutinising the implementation of the Directive. Input was received from three independent groups of experts from: CPMC SPRL, University of Oxford and University of Sussex, and Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei. The first research paper presents opinions of national stakeholders at Member State level, gathered during interviews and surveys. The second research paper presents the Member States' plans and achievements towards the implementation of Article 7 of the Directive (Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes, EEOS). The third research paper presents the implementation of Article 7 of the Directive in the household and buildings sector specifically. The introduction to this European Implementation Assessment presents the overall legal and political context of energy policy in the EU as well as of the Energy Efficiency Directive and its implementation in particular. Key findings present main elements of the analysis provided by the external experts in the three research papers, which are included in full as annexes.