Brussels, 7 January 2014 – Ministers from eight EU Member States – including France, Germany and Italy – have called on the European Commission to establish renewable energy targets for 2030, pitching themselves against states such as the UK and Poland, which seek only an emissions reduction target.
Brussels, 7 January 2014 – Ministers from eight EU Member States – including France, Germany and Italy – have called on the European Commission to establish renewable energy targets for 2030, pitching themselves against states such as the UK and Poland, which seek only an emissions reduction target.
The Ministers – also from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland and Portugal – have stated that the EU, “must offer a robust, long-term framework supporting renewable energy sources… [which] will strengthen European competitiveness and lead to more jobs and growth. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity”.
The comments come just weeks before proposals for the new EU Climate and Energy Package are to be revealed. Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard has publicly advocated for renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, alongside emissions reduction targets, but opinion amongst the Member States did not appear to be strong.
A Commission Impact Assessment has calculated that a target for a 40% reduction in carbon emissions could create 645,000 new jobs by 2030, whilst combining this target with a 30% RES target and ambitious energy efficiency policies could create over 1.25 million jobs.