Tue Jul 16, 2015

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, Greenpeace and WWF today called on the European Commission to propose a strong set of policies to ensure all countries contribute to delivering and surpassing the EU’s 2030 renewable energy target.

The call comes as the NGOs publish their overall recommendations for 2030 renewable energy policies and measures, based on research by Ecofys. The recommendations come ahead of the EU Sustainable Energy Week stakeholder discussions on the energy governance on 16-18th June, and as Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič conducts an ‘Energy Union tour’ where energy governance will also be debated with national stakeholders.

WWF senior policy officer for renewable energy Imke Lübbeke said: “Europe’s success on renewables has been driven by binding national renewable energy targets. In their possible absence, it will be crucial that an enforceable framework will continue to boost the growth of renewable energy in the EU.”

“The Commission should set indicative national targets for member state governments”, CAN Europe renewable policy coordinator Jean-François Fauconnier added. “They would guide national policies to meet and beat their targets for renewable energy.”

Greenpeace EU energy policy adviser Tara Connolly concluded: “A strong and legally binding set of 2030 renewable energy policies is the only way to maintain investor confidence and ensure Europe goes far beyond its unambitious 2030 renewables target.”

The European Commission is currently considering policies to meet the 2030 renewable energy target as part of the EU’s new energy governance framework. EU leaders agreed to scrap binding national renewable energy targets and replace them with a governance framework as part of the deal on 2030 climate and energy targets in October 2014. The deal included agreement on a target for renewable energy to deliver at least 27 percent of Europe’s energy in 2030.