Negotiators from the European Commission, EU countries and the European Parliament met yesterday for a trilogue on energy efficiency targets. The results are still unknown, but there’s a lot at stake.
In 2021, the European Commission composed a 2030 energy savings target of 9% which EU members were mostly happy with. Then, in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and the rest is history as they say. Energy prices soared and through most of the year there was fear they’d go even higher. Shortly after the war started, the EU commision bumped that 9% figure up to 13%.
The new 13% marker has not yet been approved, however. And a handful of countries have stated their support for higher energy efficiency standards, while quite many more have outright opposed it or remained ambiguous.
The Union has already missed its initial deadline for the deal in December. Ahead of the most recent trilogue, many commentators were skeptical that much progress would be made.