Brussels, 20 September 2017  -  Speaking at a dinner debate sponsored by Cefic at the European Energy Forum in the European Parliament, Cefic director general Marco Mensink expressed unambiguous support for the “energy efficiency first principle”. He explained why energy efficiency is so relevant for the chemical industry – both as an opportunity in terms of new markets in the construction sector and as a challenge – in view of the sheer amount of clean energy needed for its low-carbon transition.Held on September 12th, amid lively Parliament debates around the ongoing revision of Europe’s Energy Acquis for the period 2030, the event, titled “Energy efficiency first – insights from the chemical industry”, attracted MEPs from various political groups, as well as Parliament staff and actors from the private energy landscape.The debate gave Cefic the opportunity to compare viewpoints with other active stakeholders, especially the EU Alliance to Save Energy and its President, Mrs. Monica Frassoni, invited to share the Alliance’s own views. Mrs Mechthild Woersdorfer, director in charge of renewables, research and innovation and energy efficiency, also reacted on behalf of the Commission.Whilst the three speakers seemed to agree on several issues like the need to increase ambition in the building sector, other aspects like the importance of targets gave rise to diverging opinions. The audience broadly welcomed the EU chemical industry’s commitment to energy efficiency, as well as its constructive approach to the ongoing policy debate.Check out the Event webpage   Read about the energy efficiency first principle of the Energy Union strategy.