Fiona Hall: EU energy efficiency deal a welcome breakthrough
Originally published by UK Liberal Democrats
The proposed Directive intends to step up efforts to use energy more efficiently at all stages of the energy chain; from the source all the way to final consumption. This includes a target of a 20 percent cut of energy use through savings against predicted levels by the end of the decade.
Commenting, Leader of the Liberal Democrat MEPs and Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesperson in the European Parliament, Fiona Hall said:
"Ed Davey's last minute intervention to secure a deal on the Energy Efficiency Directive shows that the UK is committed to being a positive partner in Europe.
"This deal is an important breakthrough in the fight to reduce energy consumption. It will cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our dependence on energy imports, help to bring down energy bills for businesses and households alike and stimulate the creation of thousands of new green jobs."
Commenting further, Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Davey said:
"Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of the Coalition Government's commitment to fighting climate change and reducing our dependency on energy imports that have increased household bills so dramatically.
"We worked very closely with our partners in Europe to achieve this deal which will give Member States the necessary flexibility to introduce their own national schemes such as the Coalition Government's Green Deal."