EEB: Austria Lags Behind in EU Energy Savings Measures
To address high energy prices observed in September 2022, the EU Council approved a voluntary target to reduce overall energy consumption by 10% and consumption during peak hours by 5%. According to research from theEuropean Environmental Bureau (EEB), most member states failed to meet this 10% mandatory target, with overall EU electricity consumption only dropping 6.2 % over the period from August 2022 to March 2023. Moving forwards, there is much progress to be made towards reducing electricity consumption in the EU.
However, this past winter, the EU did succeed at reducing its gas consumption by 15 % compared to average consumption over the past five years. The 15% voluntary target was set to prepare for the possibility of Russia cutting back on gas exports to the EU.
Highlighting the influence of energy ties to Russia, member states who rely heavily on Russia for fuel, like Germany and Italy, implemented the most intensive gas saving measures. Notably, Germany and Italy required specific actions of both the public and private sector, while most member states only set public sector or voluntary requirements.
The EEB categorized Austria among the countries with only voluntary measures in place. In response to the call to reduce gas consumption by 15%, Austria focused most of its efforts on slowly launching energy saving information campaigns targeted at citizens and businesses. Considering how Austria’s energy consumption per capita is 22% higher than the EU average, the country's weak energy saving measures hinder the progress of the EU and threaten the stability of energy availability and pricing (Enerdata).
In March, the EU Council extended its 15% voluntary gas reduction target, aiming to further decrease consumption and ensure ample gas storage between April 2023 and March 2024. Over this next period, Austria would likely benefit from increased EU-level coordination and requirements, as recommended in the report. Regardless, Austria can improve by making progress towards top short-term energy saving measures identified by the EEB, including:
- Increasing financial incentives and investments for non-fossil heat sources and heat pumps
- Setting mandatory heating and cooling limits for public buildings and office spaces
- Pursuing measures to reduce unnecessary lighting and switch to LEDs
by Rachel Toole