10. Jul. 2014
blog
Early July, the European Court of Justice decided on the Ålands Vindkraft case and reaffirmed the conformity of the Renewable Energy Directive with the EU Treaty, notably on the prerogative of national renewable energy support schemes. The Greens welcome the decision.
10. Jun. 2014
blog
This week the European Commission will be discussing an unofficial DG Trade proposal on Export Finance and Coal Fuelled Power plants. The Greens have big concerns that this proposal, once adopted, would be ruining Europe's climate credibility in the run-up to the COP 2015 negotiations.
04. Jun. 2014
studies
The resolution of the European Parliament of 5 February 2014 supporting a 30% share of renewables in final energy consumption by 2030 and a 40% energy savings target (“30%/40% target”) is likely to lead to greenhouse gas emission reductions in 2030 in the range between 45% and 54% compared to 1990 levels. This is estimated by Ecofys commissioned by Friends of the Earth. The resolution itself states a minimum greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 40%, compared to 1990 levels. Earlier, the European Commission had made a proposal for supporting a 27% share of renewables in final energy consumption and 25% energy savings and at least 40% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030.
04. Jun. 2014
studies
On January 22, 2014, the European Commission presented their proposal for a climate and energy package for 2030. However, unlike under the current Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, there would not be any national targets for the Member States, but only this one overall target for all Member States together to reach.
Without national targets, questions have arisen as to how the European Commission is going to ensure that the binding EU-level target of at least 27% renewable is in fact reached, e.g. as the European Union has no territory of its own on which to build renewable energy power plants, or what can be done if it is not reached.
