European Commission proposes an integrated energy and climate change package
BRUSSELS, Belgium January 10, 2007 (Refocus Weekly) The European Commission has proposed a comprehensive package of measures to establish a new energy policy for Europe to combat climate change and boost the EU's energy security and competitiveness.
The package of proposals set a series of targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy and aim to create a true internal market for energy and strengthen effective regulation. The Commission believes that when an international agreement is reached on the post-2012 framework this should lead to a 30% cut in emissions from developed countries by 2020. To further underline its commitment the Commission proposes that the European Union commits now to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020, in particular through energy measures.
But there are many who think some of the measures don’t go far enough, and indeed the question of binding targets has disappointed some prominent figures. Eluned Morgan, the European Parliament’s rapporteur on the European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy (and author of the green paper - European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy - said of the 20% target: “this will simply not be enough. The European Parliament and the UK Government have both called for a 30% reduction and we know that without such a target it will be impossible for Europe to meet its commitment to keep the temperature increase to below 2 degrees Celsius.”
But despite misgivings from some, the commission seeks to position the EU as a “world leader in renewable energy” by proposing a binding target of 20% of its overall energy mix to be sourced from renewable energy by 2020. This will require a massive growth in all three renewable energy sectors: electricity, biofuels and heating and cooling. This renewables target will be supplemented by a minimum target for biofuels of 10%. In addition, a 2007 renewables legislative package will include specific measures to facilitate the market penetration of both biofuels and heating and cooling.
Speaking on the measures, President José Manuel Barroso said: "Today marks a step change for the European Union. Energy policy was a core area at the start of the European project. We must now return it to centre stage. The challenges of climate change, increasing import dependence and higher energy prices are faced by all EU members. A common European response is necessary to deliver sustainable, secure and competitive energy. The proposals put forward by the Commission today demonstrate our commitment to leadership and a long-term vision for a new Energy Policy for Europe that responds to climate change. We must act now, to shape tomorrow's world".
Commissioner for Energy Policy Andris Piebalgs said: "If we take the right decisions now, Europe can lead the world to a new industrial revolution: the development of a low carbon economy. Our ambition to create a working internal market, to promote a clean and efficient energy mix and to make the right choices in research and development will determine whether we lead this new scenario or we follow others."
Stavros Dimas, Commissioner for Environment, stated that "Climate change is one of the gravest threats to our planet. Acting against climate change is imperative. Today, we have agreed on a set of ambitious, but realistic targets which will support our global efforts to contain climate change and its most dire consequences. I urge the rest of the developed world to follow our lead, match our reductions and accelerate progress towards an international agreement on the global emission reductions".
Europe faces real challenges. There is a more than 50% chance that global temperatures will rise during this century by more than 5°C. On current projections, energy and transport policies would mean that rather than falling, EU emissions would increase by around 5% by 2030. With current trends and policies the EU's energy import dependence will jump from 50% of total EU energy consumption today to 65% in 2030. In addition, the internal energy market remains incomplete which prevents EU citizens and the EU economy from receiving the full benefits of energy liberalisation. The package proposed by the Commission today seeks to provide solutions to these challenges based on
three central pillars: a true internal energy market, accelerating the shift to low carbon energy and energy efficiency.
Drawing on the consultation process on its Green Paper issued in 2006, the Commission has already made progress towards a more coherent external energy policy as demonstrated by the creation of a network of energy security correspondents. The Commission proposes a whole series of concrete measures to strengthen international agreements including the Energy Charter Treaty, post-Kyoto climate regime and extension of emissions trading to global partners and further extend bilateral agreements with third countries so that energy becomes an integral part of all external EU relations and especially of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
As major new initiatives the Commission proposes to develop a comprehensive Africa-Europe partnership and an international agreement on energy efficiency. Concrete action is required urgently. Taken together, the sector enquiry, strategic review and action plan
represent the core of a proposed new European Energy Policy. This process seeks to move from principles into concrete legislative proposals. The Commission will seek endorsement of the energy and climate change proposals during the Spring European Council and will come forward with legislation in light of these discussions.
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