Brussels backs ‘flexible’ 2030 renewables target

Europe is to get at least 27 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, under a binding target proposed by the European Commission on Wednesday.

The Commission backed specific ambition on renewables on top of a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent from 1990 levels. The role of energy efficiency is to be set out in a separate directive later this year.

Brussels stopped short of dictating the level of contribution each member state must make to the renewables target, allowing flexibility to “transform the energy system in a way that is adapted to national preferences and circumstances”.

Commission president José Manuel Barroso said the package was “ambitious and affordable”.

He added: “Climate action is central for the future of our planet, while a truly European energy policy is key for our competitiveness. Today’s package proves that tackling the two issues simultaneously is not contradictory, but mutually reinforcing.”

There was uncertainty right up until the announcement over whether the Commission would endorse a renewables target. The UK was among those calling for a single carbon emissions target, arguing it would allow member states to choose the least-cost route to decarbonisation. Proponents of the renewables target said it would give more certainty to investors and reduce the cost of developing a renewables industry.

Connie Hedegaard, commissioner for climate action, said: “In spite of all those arguing that nothing ambitious would come out of the Commission today, we did it. A 40% emissions reduction is the most cost-effective target for the EU and it takes account of our global responsibility. And of course Europe must continue its strong focus on renewables. That is why it matters that the Commission is proposing today a binding EU-level target. The details of the framework will now have to be agreed, but the direction for Europe has been set. If all other regions were equally ambitious about tackling climate change, the world would be in significantly better shape.”

Also announced were measures to reform the emissions trading system (EU ETS) to boost the chronically low carbon price and restore it as a signal for green investment.

The Commission proposed a “market stability reserve” to automatically adjust the supply of allowances. It will “address the surplus… and improve the system’s resilience to major shocks,” the Commission said. It follows “backloading” plans to shore up the carbon price in the short term by delaying the sale of 900 million permits.

There were also warm words for greater interconnection and integration to make the pan-EU market more efficient.

Energy commissioner Günther Oettinger said: “The 2030 framework sets a high level of ambition for action against climate change, but it also recognises that this needs to be achieved at least cost. The internal energy market provides the basis to achieve this goal and I will continue to work on its completion in order to use its full potential. This includes the ‘Europeanisation’ of renewable energy policies.”

The 2030 framework must be approved by the European Council and the European Parliament before being adopted. The Council is expected to consider it on 20 and 21 March.