The German Presidency of the Council of the European Union addressed a series of questions to the Member States on Wednesday 25 November, in view of the forthcoming revisions of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001) (RED II) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27) (EED).
Scheduled for June 2021, these revisions aim to adapt the two directives to the new EU objective of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 proposed by the European Commission.
While the EU had set itself the target of achieving 32% renewable energy in its energy mix and improving energy efficiency by at least 32.5% by 2030, a reduction in emissions of at least 55% by 2030 would require raising these targets to around 38-40% and 36-39% (for final energy consumption) or 39-41% (for primary energy consumption) respectively, according to the Commission (see EUROPE 12562/2).
In these questions to the Member States, the German Presidency thus asks them how they see the role of the EU's energy efficiency and renewable energy targets in contributing to the increased climate ambition for 2030 as proposed by the Commission.
With regard to renewables, Berlin asked the national delegations in particular about the main obstacles to the introduction of renewable fuels in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise, such as industry, heavy transport and aviation, and to electrification based on renewable energies.
It further invites EU countries to provide recommendations on how to encourage regional cooperation for the development of offshore renewable energy.
See questions from the German Presidency: https://bit.ly/39nbHMG and https://bit.ly/37cRdU1 (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)