SEEC members are calling for changes to a proposed EU energy directive, arguing the propsals are costly, bureaucratic and anti-localist.

A SEEC briefing calls on MEPs to support three key amendments to the draft Energy Efficiency Directive. Whilst SEEC is supportive of the need to increase energy efficiency, members argue the EU's top down approach is not the best way forward.

  
SEEC's priority amendments are to:

  
1 Remove top-down targets for the renovation of public buildings

• These would force councils to renovate 3% of their floor space annually to match energy performance requirements in current building regulations. Members believe this is an inflexible and impractical way of achieving carbon reductions.
• A better approach would be to focus on energy use reduction rather than simply renovation. This would recognise, for example, the impact of improved heating/cooling equipment, maintenance and behaviour change.

2 Remove top-down requirements for the promotion of energy efficiency through public procurement

• These would require public bodies to meet high energy efficiency standards when procuring works, products or services. Members believe mandatory requirements are unacceptable and risk distorting procurement, which should balance a range of criteria including energy efficiency, value for money and factors such as building location/size.
• A better approach would be high quality guidance on the value of energy efficient products to help councils agree the best outcomes without distorting the procurement process.

3 Address financial and administrative burdens

• Extra burdens would include the cost of renovations, regular statistical reports and evaluations, and the need to monitor contractors' energy performance.
• Additional burdens must be minimised, with any extra financial or resource implications met by government.