Brussels, 29/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament will give its verdict in February (plenary session 3-6 February) on the 2030 Climate/Energy targets proposed by the European Commission on 22 January. The targets include a binding 40% reduction in emissions compared to 1990 levels and a 27% European target for renewable energy in the EU's total energy consumption. The Parliament thus hopes to perfect its contribution for the European Council on 20-21 March. It is a far cry from the demand put forward on 9 January for three binding targets - a 40% cut in emissions, 40% in energy efficiency and at least 30% for renewables (see EUROPE 10993). Unsurprisingly, this package was greeted with disappointment and sometimes provoked a number of contrasting reactions.
Matthias Groote (S&D, Germany), who chairs the parliamentary environment committee, said that except for the 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, these targets do not respond to the measures needed and will not be taken seriously by international partners. He stated: “I regret that the Commission has allowed itself to be hypnotised by those claiming that ambitious climate and energy targets represent a cost and did not propose a binding target on energy efficiency. We believe the opposite: in the interest of our industry and our jobs we must have a firm political commitment to emission reduction, renewables and energy efficiency.”
Anne Delvaux (EPP, Belgium), the co-rapporteur from the same committee, said that at this stage it was disappointing that the benefits of energy efficiency had not been confirmed. “The European Commission proposal is an unacceptable work base but needs to be strengthened. Energy efficiency alone would enable us to reduce our energy bills, our dependency on oil and gas, and our energy trade balance and to create thousands of jobs in Europe, not to mention improving our protection of our environment and our climate.”
Amalia Sartori (EPP, Italy), the chair of the industry and energy committee, appealed for, pragmatism “also when building long-term perspectives: the implications that energy and climate goals could have are enormous for businesses, citizens and the whole community”. It came as no surprise that Konrad Szymanski (ECR, Poland), the co-rapporteur on the industry and energy committee, was the most critical and defended the position put forward by Poland. “The European Commission hasn't understood anything of the current impact and influence of the climate policy on the European economy. Increasing the binding target for energy from renewables to 27% does not take into account the electricity price impact of this policy. Raising the CO2 reduction target to 40% is at best premature”. (AN/transl.fl)