Brussels, 28/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission's energy-climate package, keenly awaited by energy lobby groups and NGOs, has provoked contrasting reactions, following the presentation of targets to take renewable energies to a 20% share of the EU's energy mix and have biofuels make up 10% of the consumption of petrol and diesel in the transport sector in every member state by 2020.
EWEA, the voice of the wind industry, welcomed elements “crucial for maintaining investor confidence and encouraging substantial investments in green energy”. The targets were ambitious, but achievable, said EWEA Chief Executive Christian Kjaer. Euroheat & Power welcomed measures which “moved in the right direction to meet the 2020 targets set by the European Council in 2007”. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association EPIA also welcomed the 20% target for renewable energies by 2020. It felt, however, that some clarification was needed. “No penalties are foreseen for member states if they do not reach their own target,” EPIA said. Europabio, the European Association of Bioindustries, stated that it believed that meeting the Commission's 10% biofuels target “will require a realistic roadmap to implement the different policies sustainably”. The European Bioethanol Fuel Association eBio welcomed the target set by the Commission for biofuels, which, it said, “will have an enormous positive effect on the EU industry producing biofuels and all sectors related to it”. It also highlighted the positive impact that such a target could have on jobs.
CEPI, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, pointed out that the implementation of the package would have an effect on the competitiveness of the industry. However, the proposal would enable the paper industry “to play its part in contributing to the target for increasing the share of renewable energy by 2020,” said Teresa Presas, CEPI Managing Director. The Union of the Electricity Industry Eurelectric warned that the European emissions trading scheme could have repercussions on electricity prices. The UEAPME, representing crafts, trades and SMEs in Europe, regretted that no mention had been made in the package of decentralised or micro generation as a way of increasing the use of renewable energy. Finally, of the environmentalist NGOs, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) welcomed the Commission's recommendations on renewable energy, but felt that the “arbitrary” 10% target for biofuels which “the Commission stubbornly supports” would not provide positive results for the environment. WWF was critical of the environmental measures, but welcomed the increase use of biofuels which “have the potential to reduce green house gas emissions and to benefit both the EU and developing countries”. (L.B.S.)