In a vote on the 9th of January, European Parliament Members reaffirmed their commitment to renewable energy, greenhouse gas reduction and energy efficiency by supporting three binding 2030 targets.
The MEPs voted for a 40% reduction in energy use, a 30% target for the share of renewables in final energy consumption and a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2030. The recommendations come ahead of a White Paper on the 2030 climate and energy package, to be published on January 22.
European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE) President Monica Frassoni said that the vote was a positive, timely and strong signal to the European Commission, ahead of the presentation of the White Paper on the EU energy and climate framework for 2030.
"The EU has a 41% cost-effective end-use energy savings potential for 2030 that can be achieved only with an EU binding target. A GHG target-only approach will not deliver it: a specific EU binding target for energy savings would allow businesses across a broad range of sectors to create employment and growth in the EU," Frassoni said.
In a statement on the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) site, EWEA Head of Regulatory Affairs Stephane Bourgeois said that, following a letter in favour of a 2030 renewable energy target sent to European Commissioners from eight Member States (including Germany and France), this vote was another strong signal to the European Commission of the widespread support for a binding renewable energy target for 2030.
Following the European Commission communication on 22 January and the European Parliament plenary vote in February, EU Heads of State will meet in March to agree on a mandate to the Commission to draft legislation on 2030 climate and energy policy.
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