MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on energy security (Nabucco, DESERTEC)

14.9.2009

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Helmut Scholz, Marisa Matias on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

B7‑0059/2009

European Parliament resolution on energy security (Nabucco, DESERTEC)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Second Strategic Energy Review - an EU energy security and solidarity action plan (COM(2008)0781 final),

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the right of access to sufficient energy is a basic right for all people within and outside the European Union,

B.  whereas at least 1.6 billion people in the world have no access to electricity in their homes and consequently are without means for electric lighting, mechanical power and telecommunications; whereas developing energy infrastructure in the developing countries is essential in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals,

C. whereas the EU is the world’s second largest energy market, with over 450 million consumers; whereas at present the Union's energy demand is continuing to rise in most sectors, leaving energy efficiency potential largely unexploited,

D. whereas one of the most significant potential conflicts over resources arises from intensified competition over access to, and control over, energy resources; whereas this competition has already been the reason for wars and violent conflicts,

E.  whereas the EU's foreign and security policy is also increasingly dominated by energy interests,

1.  Takes the view that basic rights such as those to water, land, energy and health should be guaranteed by public services and must not be dependent on market requirements;

2.  Calls on the Member States and the EU to make resolute efforts to end their dependency on fossil fuels; takes the view that investments should be geared towards promoting renewable energies more consistently, decoupling economic growth from energy growth, improving energy efficiency and promoting energy savings; takes the view that this would be the best foundation for a European strategy on energy security;

3.  Calls on the European Union and Member States more consistently to take steps to develop towards the most energy-efficient economy in order to actively contribute to the achievement of the 2°C climate objective; calls on the European Union and Member States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 to 80% by 2050; calls on the Commission to draw up possible energy scenarios, in consultation with all the stakeholders, illustrating ways in which these objectives may be reached and setting out the underlying technical and economic hypotheses; considers the greenhouse gas emissions trading system to be insufficient to guarantee attainment of the targets set;

4.  Reaffirms the threefold objective set for 2020 of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, and 30% in the event of an international agreement, reducing energy consumption by at least 20% and attaining at least a 20% share for renewables in final energy consumption;

5.  Notes the measures towards diversification and improving the EU's energy security as proposed by the Commission in the Second Strategic Energy Review; considers that measures to promote renewable energies, decouple economic growth from energy growth, improve energy efficiency and promote energy savings should receive priority;

6.  Rejects an EU foreign policy which is dominated by the interest in gaining access to and control over world energy resources and markets; expresses deep concern about the rivalry between the EU, Russia and other countries over Central Asian and Caspian gas resources;

7.  Underlines that meeting the growing global energy demand is a common problem facing the international community, which needs real partnership and cooperation on the basis of mutual advantage for all citizens; calls for an EU policy which contributes to a fair distribution of energy resources at global level;

8.  Calls on the EU and its Member States to contribute to a global policy shift towards energy efficiency and to make the spread of renewable energies worldwide a priority of its foreign and trade policy; calls on the Member States and the EU to make a significant financial contribution to technology cooperation with partners, in particular developing countries, to encourage investments in energy efficiency and low-carbon and renewable technologies; calls also on the Member States to step up financing of research in order to improve their energy production capacity;

9.  Is concerned about several aspects of the far-reaching, climate-relevant DESERTEC initiative, which creates prospects for a new kind of energy mix on the basis of regenerative energy sources but still displays a lack of development-oriented participatory planning processes in the countries involved and which increasingly has a certain negative connotation for the population of the region because of the absence of energy supply objectives serving the region's population; therefore calls for this project to be accompanied by a set of measures to guarantee the whole region's development on the basis of a jointly worked out, agreed and realised plan which must cover all aspects of development: technology supply and long-term development plans ensuring equal educational opportunities for all and creating jobs both within the EU and in the countries involved;

10. Strongly supports the idea of energy solidarity and close cooperation between the Member States in the field of energy supply; considers it essential to improve interconnections within Europe, as it is vital to fill the existing gaps in order to ensure the efficient functioning of the internal market and energy solidarity; emphasises that no toleration of provocative activities by a neighbouring country is acceptable; with this in mind, calls on the Commission and Council to adopt an immediate stance against the obstruction of any Member State in exercising its sovereign rights in the field of energy;

11. Takes the view that the diversification of energy sources and routes as well as energy suppliers is a significant instrument to ensure security of energy supply for all countries in Europe and that close cooperation in the field of energy supply constitutes one of the most effective and indispensable confidence-building measures in relations between the European Union and neighbouring countries;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the parliaments and governments of the Member States.