A joint call for more ambitious targets and appropriate instruments for the energy package 2030
Esteemed heads of States and Governments, Members of the European Council,
We, the undersigned, representing a wide spectrum of industry sectors and private, community and public stakeholders along the value chain of sustainable energy systems herewith express our profound concern about the direction the European Union energy policy for 2030 is taking. We would like to call on you to refocus on a roadmap leading to a truly sustainable and affordable EU energy system, and in particular taking following actions:
Introduce more ambitious and binding targets
– at least 40% greenhouse gas emission reduction,
– at least 40% renewable energy, and
– at least 40% increased energy efficiency
These targets should be binding at the EU and national level. Member States should fairly share efforts and contribute to this process in a balanced manner, exchange best practices, tapping their respective technical capacities and economic potentials in a coordinated manner and work rapidly for better interconnection.
These targets would fully adhere to the wish of the President designate of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, who wants Europe’s Energy Union to become the world number one in renewable energies. Together, with the efforts of the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, and of local and regional authorities, green financing institutions and many more, we are committed to help reaching this objective, and, we are willing to collaborate even more closely with all respective bodies of the European Union in identifying and implementing a sustainable, socially just and ecologically sound 2030 Climate and Energy Strategy for Europe.
Introduce appropriate instruments for reaching the targets
In addition to the targets, we need appropriate tools. In this regard the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC has proven to be not only successful but also easy-to-apply. To ensure that targets are reached, binding targets were agreed at the national level, while at the same time it was left to the discretion of the Member States how they would reach these targets. With this clear definition of tasks, the renewable energy industry had the stable and reliable framework needed to develop, grow and contribute up to now.
Recent discussions and proposals, however, are turning away from this approach and towards a system which has not even been clearly defined, yet. Moreover, some Member States disregard the obligations under the current Directive. Not surprisingly, the renewable energy industry is concerned, public and private investors and banks are hesitating and the development of the sector is under threat due to the growing insecurity and instability which will increase if you decide for weak framework conditions. Our companies, institutes, planning and manufacturing sector as well as consulting and research are a strong and reliable partner for economic progress in Europe. Do not belittle and undermine our efforts and success for the benefit of all our nations and of the EU 28 by compromising on unambitious targets and unclear provisions for 2030. There are many low hanging fruits, especially in heating and transport which have not even been tapped yet and which could swiftly further increase the overall level of renewable energy in the EU 28 in a cost-efficient way
We call on you, Esteemed Members of the Council, not only to increase the ambition of the targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency, but also to include binding national targets for each Member State. Giving sufficient certainty to the industry would be the simplest and safest way to reach both the renewable energy targets as well as the energy efficiency targets. We need effective instruments and appropriate legal, financial and governance frameworks for scaling-up the establishment of intelligent and decentralised energy, and to boost a fair distribution of the associated financial and social costs, as well as the emerging benefits, associated with Europe’s sustainable energy transition between all levels of governments and market actors including citizens. Further, it is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and risks related to fossil fuel dependency also in the transport sector. This calls for a comprehensive and technology neutral approach for the promotion of transport efficiency, electric transportation and renewable energy sources in transport also after 2020.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency play a crucial role in reaching the objective of the European Union to reduce carbon emissions by 80-95% in 2050 and to increase security of supply by decreasing import of uranium and fossil fuels.
Without ambitious policies and measures for renewables and efficiency those objectives cannot be achieved. We count on your efforts to put Europe back on track to become the leader in renewable and energy efficiency in the World.
Brussels, 16 October 2014
Contact:
Dr. Dörte Fouquet
EREF Director
phone: +32.2.204.44.00
e-mail: doerte.fouquet@eref-europe.org