Brussels, 05/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is calling for three binding goals for the EU's climate policy until 2030: a 40% cut, at least, in greenhouse gas emissions compared with 1990 levels, a target of at least 30% renewable energy in EU consumption and a 40% target for energy efficiency. On Wednesday 5 February in Strasbourg, it achieved a comfortable majority on this (341 votes to 263, with 26 abstentions) thereby significantly raising the level of ambition set by the European Commission in the proposal of 22 January for an integrated climate and energy policy until 2030 (see EUROPE 11007, 11002).
The Commission is seeking only one binding goal - a 40% emissions reduction - and a non-binding 27% European target for member states on renewables. This position provoked a degree of criticism at the Parliament. The European Parliament therefore reiterated the position expressed on 9 January in the compromise achieved after much deliberation between its environment and industry committees, and sends a strong sign to the European Council on 20-21 March, much to the satisfaction of progressive MEPs and much to the consternation of a coalition of Conservative MEPs in the EPP and ECR groups.
The resolution adopted states that, to be implemented, the three binding goals must be made into national goals and that the goal of at least 40% energy efficiency (far from the current indicative goal of 20% of the EU does not appear to be on track to achieve by 2020) complies with what studies have indicated on the unharnessed potential of energy savings that the EU could achieve by developing a good cost/efficiency ratio. Parliament is also asking for a compulsory environmental impact assessment on shale gas prospecting and extraction; the gradual removal of subsidies to fossil fuels; enhancing the directive on fuel quality, which currently requires the oil sector to reduce its emissions by 6% after 2020; measures against the use of non-conventional fossil fuels, such as tar sands; and sustainability criteria for solid and gas biomass to be proposed by the Commission.
Anne Delvaux (PPE Belgium), the rapporteur, welcomed this result as a great victory crowning the seven months of difficult negotiations, particularly with her political group. She emphasised that “this vote is in keeping with the progressive vision of a Europe where climate and industrial policies strengthen each other by choosing a responsible and profitable choice, in terms of environmental protection, growth and competitiveness! With the proposal containing three binding and realistic goals in terms of greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energy generation and energy efficiency, we are still coherently focused on the three 20s (Ed.: 2008 climate package for the 2020 horizon), while taking care to correct mistakes and imperfections in the current proposal”.
Matthias Groote (S&D, Germany), who chairs the Parliamentary environment committee, welcomed this ambitious vote, which was “light years away from the short-term vision of the Commission”.
Rebecca Harms, vice-president of the Greens/EFA (Germany), is convinced that the “three binding goals are the only way of protecting the climate and strengthening the European economy”. Bas Eickhout (Netherlands), the Greens/EFA spokesman on climate questions, said that the vote in parliament would “reorientate the debate and give governments a mandate to take the right decision when they give their vote on the 2030 roadmap next March”. Claude Turmes (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg), spokesman for energy, pointed out that it was “the undeniable success of the renewable energies goal set out for 2020” and it was therefore imperative that the “EU maintains its impetus by adopting a binding goal for renewable energies, stemming from national sub targets”.
Corinne Lepage (ALDE, France) was delighted with the vote and stated that “Mr Barroso will have to have another look at renewable energies because, by proposing a non-binding 27% target, the Commission is in danger of delivering a severe blow to the development of our industry and European climate policy. I would have preferred a greenhouse gas reduction target higher than 40% but, overall, Parliament's proposals outline a coherent roadmap towards energy transition and the next climate package”. Konrad Szymanski (ECR, Poland), co-rapporteur, was furious and said that adopting these objectives before the UN climate negotiations in Paris (COP 21) in 2015 was premature: “We should not show all our cards today before our partners say what they mean”.
Stephane Bourgeois from the EWEA (European Wind Energy Association), the voice of the European wind turbine industry, was delighted and said that “the European Parliament has resisted the short-sighted lobby organisations and has reached a vote based on the facts, namely, that an ambitious renewables target can create 570,000 jobs, allow for savings of €500 billion in imports of fossil fuels and reduce energy costs for high energy consuming industries”. (AN/transl.fl)