Commission drops low-carbon energy target
The European commission appears to have dropped the idea of proposing an EU target for the share of low-carbon energy use by 2020, judging by the final draft of a major energy policy paper due to be published on Wednesday and seen by ENDS.
The term 'low-carbon' refers to any energy source that produces little or no carbon dioxide emissions, such as renewables, nuclear, or fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage.
The idea was first put forward in the commission’s energy green paper, published last March. At the time, commission president Jose Manuel Barroso supported the idea that at least half of EU energy should come from low-carbon sources by 2025 (EED 08/03/06).
The paper will be the centrepiece of Wednesday’s major energy and climate package of announcements. It sets out objectives and actions to trigger a 'new industrial revolution' leading to sustainable, secure and competitive energy supplies.
The draft confirms three remaining 2020 targets – for reducing EU greenhouse gas emissions, for renewables as a share of energy consumption and for biofuels as a share of transport fuels (EED 05/01/07). The precise level of each remains under wraps and may not be finalised until Wednesday.
However, the paper does confirm that the commission will call for the EU to push for all industrialised countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions 30 per cent by 2020. The still unquantified unilateral target will confirm what the EU will do even if other countries refuse to follow.
The commission will propose legislation this year to set the renewables target in stone. Member states would be required to create national action plans, including appropriate targets for renewable electricity, heating and transport fuels to meet the overall objective.
The paper introduces a strategic energy technology plan, intended to speed development of low-carbon technologies including carbon capture and storage, second-generation biofuels and offshore wind.
Controversially, the paper effectively endorses nuclear power – traditionally a matter solely for member states. Any significant reduction in nuclear electricity would make the goal of sustainable, secure and competitive energy 'even more challenging', it says.
The paper proposes establishing a new high-level group on nuclear safety and security, leading 'eventually' to EU rules. The statement effectively marks the commission’s abandonment of directives already proposed in this area (EED 08/09/04).
The other priorities highlighted in the document include the creation of an EU internal market for energy, based on further liberalisation, effective regulation and new infrastructure. This would in turn stimulate investment in 'clean and sustainable energy technologies and renewable energy', according to the paper.
To ensure its policy goals are realised, the paper proposes the establishment of a new 'office of the energy observatory' within the European commission. Among other things this would help in preparation of a biannual strategic EU energy review.
Follow-up: European commission, tel: +32 2 299 1111.
Article Index: climate, energy, nuclear
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