Page 47 - European Energy Innovation - Spring 2017 publication

Spring 2017 European Energy Innovation 47

INTERVIEW

Interview with Bendt Bendtsen,
Danish MEP of the Group of the
European People’s Party

Mr. Bendt Bendtsen, Danish
MEP of the Group of
the European People’s
Party is considered a
thought leader for Decarb Heat 2017,
a forum taking place in Brussels on
11-12 May 2017 . Below his views on
the decarbonisation of the heating
and cooling sector in Europe which
are fully in line with the mandate of the
conference:

Q What is your vision for
decarbonising heating and
cooling in Europe by 2050?
Decarbonisation of heating and cooling
is a clear necessity to achieve a Europe
less dependent on imports and more
sustainable.

The decarbonisation efforts must be by example. In my capacity of MEP, I support for these efforts - from the
cost-effective and should activate am rapporteur of the revision of the heads of state and government to the
all available tools and technologies Directive for energy performance of European industries and consumers.
- renovation of the existing building buildings, EPBD. It is my responsibility Currently, low coal prices and a
stock, minimising the consumption and aim that we can achieve a broad fragmented legal framework challenge
of fossil fuels, further integration of compromise behind an ambitious us, makes it cheap to pollute, and lacks
renewables in the energy mix and EPBD, where we stimulate both public sufficient incentives to decarbonise.
motivation of consumers play an active and private financing into energy Once the framework is set, I truly
role. Clearly, the heating and cooling renovations so we can make the believe we will see that the ones who
sector is essential in this respect to European building stock much more achieve decarbonisation first, are
achieve the European targets for efficient - to the benefit of consumer, the global winners. Not just in terms
decarbonisation. We spend too high competitiveness and growth in Europe. of sustainability, but also in terms of
a degree of fossil fuels in this sector, competitiveness and independence. l
which is particularly unfortunate when Q Who do you think is the strongest
we import half of it and thereby make ally in making your vision of a For more information please visit
Europe dependent on Russia and the decarbonised Europe a reality? www.decarbheat.eu
Middle East. I think we have a broad and strong

Q What is your contribution to this
vision as Member of the
European Parliament, but also as
individual?
As an individual, I integrated several
renewable sources in my own
household - geothermal, heat pump
and solar thermal. I believe in leading

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