Regressive energy policy: Government questions key measures of the energy and climate plan!
The preliminary draft of the national energy and climate plan (PNEC) is currently being revised and discussed in the relevant parliamentary committee. The government has unexpectedly changed its mind, which could have significant consequences for achieving Luxembourg’s climate targets.
This concerns the phase-out of fossil fuelled heating systems.
The facts: Almost 20% of national greenhouse gas emissions are caused by heating (and cooling) residential and commercial buildings.
It is therefore of the utmost importance that reductions are made here in order to meet the climate targets – a 55% reduction in emissions compared to 2005 by 2030. Particularly in the building sector, for which the PNEC envisages a reduction of -64% by 2030 and which last year, for the first time ever, narrowly met its reduction target. This is why it is particularly important to ensure good framework conditions so that fossil fuels – gas and heating oil – can be replaced by renewable energy sources.
This is why the draft PNEC – which was submitted in Brussels – stated that if a heating system needs to be replaced, the state will create supportive framework conditions in an initial phase to ensure that heat pumps are used. Voluntariness was therefore the top priority, and the state set itself the target of motivating citizens through (financial) incentives to opt for a sustainable heating system replacement.
Only as a last resort was it mentioned that in a few years’ time – if the climate targets were not achieved with these incentives and voluntary measures – mandatory rules might have to be issued. However, these would ONLY affect the replacement of defective heating systems – or those that no longer meet the standards – but not those that still work (although exceptions were still provided for).
You can find the entire press release in the downloads.
24.05.2024