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EU proposal on 2030 climate and energy policy seen as inadequate

EU proposal on 2030 climate and energy policy seen as inadequate EU flags, Brussels/ Belgium (source: flickr/ Ingvar_Sverrisson, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 23 Jan 2014

In a statement today, the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) describes the newly released Proposal for Climate and Energy Policy for 2030 by the European Commission as inadequate.

In a statement published today, the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) comments on a new Proposal for Climate and Energy Policy for 2030 by the European Commission.

EGEC sees the proposal as inadequate. “The Commission plans a binding target to reduce GHG emissions by 40% compared to 1990 levels, an EU wide target for renewable energy of only 27% (which would be non-binding for Member States), and has disregarded energy efficiency.

This proposal clashes with calls from industry, a significant number of  Member States, the European Parliament, and civil bodies for a binding and ambitious target for renewables. Indeed, a 27% is a lower level than that which would be achieved in a business as usual scenario, according to the EC’s own Energy Trends to 2050. It is unclear how such an EU-wide target could be implemented without being binding on Member States, notably in non-ETS sectors (e.g. in buildings).

In addition, although the Heating and Cooling sector accounts for around 45% of Europe’s final energy consumption, the Commission has once again entirely ignored the sector and the potential of geothermal and other renewable heating and cooling technologies in its impact assessment.

The European Parliament and Member states must now seize the opportunity to develop this proposal and create a European policy which will ensure sustainable growth, energy security, and affordable prices for all.

A joint statement from the Heat coalition can be found here and an EREC press release can be found here.”

Source: EGEC