The draft directive included mandatory annual saving targets for energy efficiency for each EU Member State, with higher saving targets for the public sector. With the compromise achieved today, such targets are downplayed to "indicative" and for overall energy savings across Europe of 1 per cent a year for the next 9 years. According to WWF, this is an ignominious result, considering that the EU has the potential to save at least 2,5 per cent a year. More ambitious targets could be achieved by enhancing energy efficiency in private and public buildings, street lighting and public procurements.

"EU Members States recognise that energy efficiency provides a win-win solution for the environment and the economy. But the EU has once again refused to undertake serious commitments to achieve this goal and cut energy demand in Europe", says Mariangiola Fabbri, Energy Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office. "Stronger energy saving targets would have been the most effective way to fight climate change, reduce dependence on energy imports and guarantee the security of energy supply."

Notes to editors:

- The "Energy end-use efficiency and energy services" directive was included in the Commission's "Energy package" published in December 2003 after a series of blackouts and is complementary to the directive on the liberalisation of the gas and electricity markets. It was meant to help the transformation of the energy market, moving away from selling energy as a product towards selling energy as a service. The European Parliament will vote the directive in second reading next week in Strasbourg. The compromise amendments agreed by the Council and the Parliament were announced at a press conference today.