The EU ministers responsible for energy policies have broadly supported the communication on the EU's future strategy for decarbonising the economy by 2050 (see EUROPE 12148).
The European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete, reminded ministers that the future strategy for 2050 must be presented to the UN by 2020, as required by all parties to the Paris Climate Agreement.
The Commissioner, who was presenting this communication to energy ministers for the first time, noted “broad support from Member States for ambitious climate policies in the future”.
Member States have given a very positive response to the strategy for decarbonising the economy, noted the Austrian Presidency of the Council.
A number of ministers reiterated the need to respect the targets in the Paris Climate Agreement, to continue efforts to limit temperature increases to 1.5 °C, and to make the case for measures that ensure that the European economy is climate-neutral by 2050.
Some countries, including Luxembourg, opposed the Commission's scenarios envisaging a larger share for nuclear energy by 2050.
Divergence on gas. The Austrian Presidency briefed Ministers on the progress of revision of the 2009 gas directive. The proposal dates from November 2017 and the Council has not adopted its position.
Last week, the Austrian Presidency presented a compromise text on the gas directive and noted that the positions of the EU countries diverge greatly, particularly on the issue of the transfer of powers from the Member States to Community level.
Denmark believed that the compromise text that was presented “does not reflect the balance within the Council”.
Poland believed that discussions were necessary at a political level, “if we want this negotiating mandate” at the beginning of 2019.
Germany mentioned the different sources of supply. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine must be able to move forward, the German representative said. “Transit through Ukraine must be guaranteed," said Germany, who believes that the proposed text is unbalanced and impacts on the powers of Member States.
The Netherlands expressed doubts about the proposed text and the requested transfer of powers.
Slovakia and Poland both emphasised Ukrainian gas supplies.
Latvia and Italy hoped that a compromise could be reached before the May 2019 elections. Luxembourg lamented the differences between Eastern and Western Europe on this issue.
The incoming Romanian Presidency will have the task of reconciling the positions of the Member States on the gas directive. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)