Briefing 
 

EU energy efficiency and renewables: debate on progress and targets  

The EU’s renewable energy target - 20% of total consumption by 2020 - has already been hit by many EU member states. But others lag behind and must do more, MEPs will urge in a debate and vote on the EU Commission’s “renewables progress report” on Thursday. And to hit the EU’s energy efficiency target - a 20% gain by 2020 – member states need to implement EU legislation in full, says a second resolution, also to be debated and voted on Thursday.

Renewables: aim for 30% by 2030

 

Access to capital (3) is vital and all existing funding schemes must be used efficiently (10) to achieve the 20% by 2020 target for renewable energy use, say MEPs in their draft non-legislative resolution, prepared by Paloma López Bermejo (GUE/NGL, ES).


The renewables resolution reiterates Parliament's call for a binding target for 2030 of at least 30% share of renewable energy consumption. (21) A basic right to self-generation and self-consumption is crucially important (35) to enhance consumers' participation in and benefits from the energy market, while a better integrated market could support the further development of renewables and cost reductions for consumers, says the draft text. (8)


Efficiency: more effort needed to hit 20% target by 2020


The EU target of improving energy efficiency by 20% by 2020 might be missed unless the current EU legislation is implemented in full (7), warns the second resolution, drafted by Markus Pieper (EPP, DE).


Even the efficiency gains made so far could be lost unless the future review of the Energy Efficiency Directive extends its key provisions (15) beyond 2030, warn MEPs. Their draft resolution assesses energy efficiency measures taken in the EU member states to date.


Note to editors


On renewables, the report notes that whilst the EU is on track to meet its 2020 target overall, Commission estimates suggest that Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK may have to strengthen their policies and tool to meet their 2020 objectives, and Hungary and Poland are not certain to hit them either. Member States that have already met or are about to meet their 2020 targets include Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Romania, Finland and Sweden.

 

Procedure: non-legislative resolutions

2016/2041(INI) - renewable energy

2015/2232(INI) -energy efficiency

Debate: Thursday, 23 June

Vote: Thursday, 23 June

 

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