During a meeting which took place over Thursday and Friday, European Commission (EC) leaders will discuss the working version of an energy security and climate-related proposals of the Commission. The EC proposes reudciton of the EU carbon emissions by 40% and raising the share of renewable energy to 27% by 2030. Despite of this, more stringent measures for 2030 would be able to reduce the total share of imported fossil fuels by at least 45%, compared to the Commission’s plan. The proposed targets are for 45% renewable energy, 40% energy saving (on 2005 levels) and a 55% carbon emissions reduction (compared to 1990 levels). This comprises a 35% reduction in the imports of natural gas and a 45% reduction in oil imports. Coal imports would cease altogether by the end of the decade.
It is expected that the Commission will discuss 2030 energy efficiency targets. A recent analysis confirms that ambitious energy efficiency targets would considerably reduce the import of energy resources, while at the same time it would result in wider economic benefits [3">. In a letter addressed to the Commission last week, ministers from Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Ireland and Luxemburg, also appeal that the Commission should propose ambitious and binding 2030 energy efficiency targets by 4th of July [4">. The European Parliament approved a 40% energy efficiency target in February [5">.
Franzisca Achtenberg, Greenpeace Europe energy and transport director, commented: ‘after months of incomplete responses, EU leaders have the opportunity to move energy security forward. But once everyone has agreed that saving energy is a simple decision concerning energy security and climate concerns, we need to ask ourselves what is standing in the way. It is no secret that energy companies are maintaining Europe’s dependency on imported energy resources. It is high time that EU leaders should show that they will not leave matters in the oligarchs’ hands’.
Sven Teske, Greenpeace’s senior energy expert, said: ‘every Euro spent on renewable energy is an investment in energy security and jobs security. The combination of renewable energy and energy efficiency are beneficial not only for the climate but are also the best recipe for improving the EU’s energy security. Europe’s dependency on fossil fuels and their expensive and unreliable importation are two sides of the same coin’.
The report, commissioned by Greenpeace and based on research by DLR, the German Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, develops two energy scenarios: one based on the Commission’s 2030 plans and one based on a more ambitious policy framework for 2030.
Sources:
[1"> Greenpeace briefing, New report shines light on EU summit discussions on energy
security, June 2014.
[2"> Greenpeace press comment, 28 May 2014
[3"> EnergyDesk, Why does energy efficiency matter for European energy security?, 18 June 2014.
[4"> Letter by governments in support of a binding EU 2030 energy efficiency target, 18 June 2014.
[5"> European Parliament resolution, 4 February 2014.
[6"> Greenpeace report, A roadmap towards a sustainable and independent energy supply for Europe, June 2014.
Ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy targets could reduce imports by more than the EU planned 45%
