Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to question 134601, on EU Energy Policy, whether it is the Government's policy to oppose the European Council raising its energy efficiency target to 35% in accordance with the position of the European Parliament.

The UK’s position in these negotiations is to seek maximum flexibility for each Member State to be able to develop the most cost-effective pathway for them to deliver their emissions reductions commitments, including deciding what contribution energy efficiency should make to meeting that commitment, whilst recognising the need for mechanisms to give the EU assurance that its objectives on energy efficiency will be met. We believe that the 30% EU energy efficiency target, with indicative national contributions, as agreed by Council in June 2017 struck the right balance between ambition and cost-effectiveness for Member States.