Brussels, 24/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - To ensure that the European Union meets its long-term CO2 emissions reduction target of 80-95% by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels), the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) has called for a legally binding renewable energy target of 45% of final energy consumption in the EU by 2030. “There is a far reaching agreement that Europe's energy system must undergo radical change. With today's policies, however, the EU is set to fail meeting its long-term climate ambition. We need a legally binding target for renewables of 45% by 2030 as this would make up a clear signal for investors”, said Arthouros Zervos, EREC President and host of the association's biannual political conference in Brussels on 24 May. “By 2030, Upper Austria will cover 100% of its space heat and electricity demand from renewable energy sources. Regions are going ahead and putting in place the measures on the ground to make Europe take a truly sustainable pathway. Brussels needs to follow our example and catch up!” asserted Rudi Anschober, Regional Minister for Energy of Upper Austria. The 45% target is also backed by the solar power industry, represented by First Solar, which said that a stable policy framework and a 45% target for 2030 were prerequisites. (E.H./transl.rt)