The European Parliament has voted to approve a set of new clean energy laws for 2030, outlining plans to increase the bloc’s use of renewable energy and ban the sale of high-emission biofuels made from palm and soybean oil. Further policy agreements agreed as part of the EU’s Winter Package include an aim to increase energy efficiency across the bloc by 32.5%, against a 2016 baseline, and measures to phase out some of the highest-emitting biofuels made from palm and soybean oil. The policies require each EU member state to present a 10-year integrated energy and climate plan with national targets, contributions and policies by 31 December 2019, and every 10 years thereafter. The European Council will then vote to approve or reject the proposals.
Edie 15th Nov 2018 read more »
Molly Scott Cato: This week MEPs voted in favour of a new EU Energy Package which comprises two directives and one regulation and commits the block to more renewable energy, greater energy efficiency and a legally binding roadmap to the Paris climate targets. The Energy Efficiency Directive is certainly a step in the right direction, with a target of 32.5 per cent energy efficiency improvement by 2030. Despite opposition from EU governments, Greens successfully pushed for a review in 2023, so we can assess whether a higher target will be needed in order to reach the Paris warming target of 1.5c. This is great news for jobs in the green economy. The European Commission predicts that 840,000 new jobs will be created in the construction sector, in the development and production of energy-saving household appliances and in science and research. Better home insulation and energy-saving appliances also means lifting millions of EU citizens out of energy poverty. The Renewable Energy Directive stipulates that renewable energies will account for 32 per cent of the European Union’s energy budget from 2030. As a MEP I am first and foremost a law maker. But with the latest IPCC report saying we have only a 12-year window of opportunity left to prevent climate breakdown, and WWF’s Living Planet report revealing wildlife populations have declined by more than half in less than 50 years, I am also willing to be a law breaker. With planet Earth now critically endangered we need to pursue all avenues of defence.
Business Green 16th Nov 2018 read more »