Brussels, 28/11/2018 - Policymakers and industry gathered at the Committee of the Regions for the High-Level Round Table on the Decarbonisation of the Heating Sector, a joint event organised by the European Commission and the Decarb Heat Initiative partners. The timing is right: on the very same day that the European Commission launched its Long-term Emissions Reduction Strategy, the topic of decarbonising heat received the attention it deserves. Being responsible for 50% of final energy consumption in Europe, addressing heat will be paramount for reaching a net-zero emissions economy by 2050 and needs therefore to become a policy priority for the EU.
Policymakers from across Europe came to Brussels with the following common messages:
- We must acknowledge the importance of heating and cooling (H&C) for the decarbonisation of our energy system.
- Making our buildings energy efficient will not be enough, we must decarbonise their heat and cooling supply as well.
- We must speed and scale up our efforts to better integrate the already available technologies.
- Action at the regional and local level with support from local communities is key to achieving a carbon neutral, efficient European H&C sector by 2050.
In his opening speech, Dominique Ristori, Director-General for Energy at the European Commission, outlined that “the heating and cooling sector represents the largest source of energy demand in Europe. Our present system is often inefficient, polluting and based on old technologies. Making it smart, modern, clean and performant is instrumental for global decarbonisation and will be beneficial for our economy and all Europeans.”
On decarbonisation, Danish Member of the European Parliament for the EPP group, rapporteur for the European Performance of Buildings Directive, Bendt Bendtsen stated: “Unfortunately, most national ministries see energy efficiency as an expenditure, not an investment.” He added: “Getting out of fossil fuels is pure politics – we still have politicians asking for supporting coal mines… in 2018! But I am positive that renewable energy sources will soon be much cheaper than today and will make much more sense for the heating sector.”
Paul Voss, Managing Director at Euroheat & Power and convenor of the Decarb Heat Initiative, was delighted that the event enjoyed great attendance and concluded: “Acknowledging the importance of the heating and cooling sector within the broader energy transition is a useful beginning but it is no longer enough. In light of the high stakes and the urgency of the situation, we need more and faster progress on the ground starting immediately. This means relying on proven technologies that are already available and establishing a legal framework that supports their development.”
- Bioenergy
- Policy
Policy
Discover the different policy areas we are actively working on.
- Working Groups
Working Groups
Our Working Groups are focused decision-making hubs that allow Bioenergy Europe members to discuss policy updates, new technologies and market trends.
Heating and cooling sector to get its due spot on the decarbonisation radar
Press Release
-
About Decarb Heat Initiative
The Decarb Heat Initiative has been launched by Bioenergy Europe, COGEN Europe, European Heat Pump Association, Euroheat & Power, European Geothermal Energy Council, European Partnership for Energy and the Environment and Solar Heat Europe/ESTIF. We bring together major players of the H&C industry behind one clear vision: a carbon neutral, efficient European H&C sector by 2050. In order to modernise our H&C supply, we advocate for massively deploying cutting-edge local renewable and energy efficient H&C solutions across Europe’s economy.
-
Decarb Heat PR: Heating and cooling sector to get its due spot on the decarbonisation radar
28-11-2018345 KB 936 downloads
Related content
-
Industry and policy-makers join forces to move H&C to the top of the EU’s decarbonisation agenda
On Thursday 7 June 2018, the event “Heating & Cooling in Europe –... 05.09.2019 -
Biomass Heat Works! Calls on Chancellor for Continued Industry Support
Leaders from the UK’s biomass heat industry have called on the Chancellor...
Our Networks
-
Represents the interests of the wood pellect sector to ensure its sustainable developement.
Visit the website
Our Certification Schemes
-
The world-leading, transparent and independent certification scheme for wood pellets. From production to delivery, ENplus® guarantees quality and combat fraud along the entire supply chain.
Visit the website -
enSURE Compliance with RED II Sustainability Requirements for the Production of Electricity, Heating and Cooling from Biomass.
Visit the website
Bioenergy Newsletter subscription confirmation
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. You have been added to our distribution list.
- Working Groups