EU Unveils 2030 Climate Targets, Puts Spotlight on Digitalisation
The EU is set to unveil its 2030 climate target plans on Wednesday, with a strong focus on digitalisation. Germany and Italy are already aligning with the updated EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), aiming to boost energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions. Meanwhile, Bitkom, a German digital association, welcomes the EU's approach to treating digital technologies equally with energy-saving measures and renewable energy sources.
Germany plans a flexible, simplified EPBD implementation, extending deadlines and integrating with municipal heat planning. It targets digital technologies for management and process optimisation, with agile teams and AI starting in 2026. Italy promotes energy efficiency, renewable heating, and electromobility infrastructure in building renovations, with digital energy performance certificates gaining importance. Regional initiatives like Baden-Württemberg's KlimaG integrate digital monitoring and smart energy systems.
The EU sees digitalisation as crucial for faster climate protection and renewable energy expansion. Bitkom estimates that accelerated digital technology use could save around 150 megatonnes of CO₂ annually in Germany by 2030. The planned Energy Efficiency Directive amendment will also address the CO₂ emissions of digitisation itself. Bitkom proposes a uniform energy label for European data centres to strengthen digital sovereignty.
The EU Commission is closely linking climate neutrality with digitalisation, a strategy known as the 'Twin Transition'. This approach aims to harness digital technologies to achieve the EU's 2030 climate targets. With the upcoming legislative proposals, the EU seeks to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, digitalised economy.
