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European Parliament calls for more ambitious, consumer-focused energy targets beyond 2020

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European Parliament calls for more ambitious, consumer-focused energy targets beyond 2020

Shutterstock / Markus Pfaff

 

In a resolution on the EU Commission’s “renewables progress report”, voted on 23 June 2016 at the European Parliament's plenary session, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) state that although the EU's renewable energy target -20% of total consumption by 2020- has already been achieved by many EU Member States (MS), there are other MS that lag behind and must do more.

 

A second resolution, also voted on 23 June, says that in order to achieve the EU's energy efficiency target -a   20% gain by 2020- MS need to implement EU legislation faster, and in full.

 

In their non-legislative resolutions, MEPs reiterate their previous calls "for a 40% energy efficiency target for 2030", considering that "binding requirements are vital in order to achieve a maximum degree of ambition and effort" from the MS. They also state that using all existing funding schemes effectively to ensure access to capital is crucial for achieving the current 20% renewables target by 2020. The resolutions also reiterate Parliament's call for binding targets to ensure that renewables account for at least 30% of total energy consumption by 2030.

 

Furthermore, MEPs call on the EU to invest more in information and support programmes in the MS that could help to raise participation in current local energy efficiency schemes, and to promote new technical developments in areas such as refrigerants, lighting, insulation, etc.

 

According to the resolutions, consumers should play a more decisive role in achieving energy efficiency targets, e.g. by refurbishing buildings and through district heating and cooling schemes. MEPs note that the energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings should be a priority to help energy-poor residents. They also advocate setting specific energy efficiency targets for residential buildings.

 

The resolution on energy efficiency was passed by 253 votes to 193, with 4 abstentions, whereas that on renewable energy was passed by 444 votes to 103, with 23 abstentions. These recommendations will feed into upcoming legislative proposals on the EU Energy Union.

 

 

For further information, please visit the relevant European Parliament webpage at the link below.

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