Further Development of Energy Efficiency Policies for the Achievement of the European Climate Protection Targets for 2050

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With a view of achieving the long-term climate protection targets of the European Union (EU), this research work aims to develop further options for energy efficiency policies at a Member State and EU level.

Initially, we identified best practices of energy efficiency instruments in Member States. Two different European MS were then selected to investigate underlying transformation pathways, potentials and existing policies in the sectors of private households (Poland and France), industry (Poland and Germany) and transport (Germany and Italy). Based on these insights, we derived gaps and deficits of existing policy instruments and developed options for further development of the policy packages. Overall, we found that a much more ambitious implementation of existing instruments as well as new instruments is necessary in all countries investigated. In a final step, we made recommendations for the further development of EU policies.